CrossView Church

3 Reasons to Consider our Trials Great Joy – a James 1:2-4 CrossView Sermon

2012-01-31T17:12:00.000-08:00

For sermon notes, go to PJ's blog post on this sermon.

Is our Church and/or CrossView Mission Team (CMT) a community of grace or community of performance?

2011-11-14T12:22:00.000-08:00

I find these distinctions helpful. Tim Chester has some helpful posts on this topic linked to and reposted below.

**Communities of Performance Verses [sic] Communities of Grace**

Is your community a community of performance or a community of grace? Try these diagnostic tests …

Communities of Performance	Communities of Grace
the leaders appear sorted	the leaders are vulnerable
the community appears respectable	the community is messy
meetings must be a polished performance	meetings are just one part of community life
identity is found in ministry	identity is found in Christ
failure is devastating	failure is disappointing, but not devastating
actions are driven by duty	actions are driven by joy
conflict is suppressed or ignored	conflict is addressed in the open
the focus is on orthodoxy and behaviour (allowing people to think they’re sorted)	the focus is on the affections of the heart (with a strong view of sin and grace)

In performance-oriented churches people pretend to be okay because their standing within the church depends on it. A ‘sorted’ person is seen as the standard or the norm, and anyone who is struggling is seen as sub-standard or sub-Christian. In this kind of environment to acknowledge that you’re struggling with sin is difficult and distressing.

But this is the opposite of grace. Grace acknowledges that we are all sinners, we are all messed up people, all struggling, all doubting at a functional level. But grace also affirms that in Christ we all belong, all make the grade, all are welcome, all are Christians (there are no lesser Christians).

Imagine such a church for a moment. Here is Andrew: he sometimes uses po rn because he struggles to find refuge in God. Here’s Pauline: she sometimes has panic attacks because she struggles to believe in the care of her heavenly Father. Here’s Abdul: he sometimes looses his temper because he struggles to believe that God is in control. Here’s Georgina: she sometimes has bouts of depression because she struggles to believe God’s grace. When they come together they accept one another and celebrate God’s grace towards each other. They rejoice that they are all children of God through the work of Christ. And they remind one another of the truths each of them needs to keep going and to change. It’s a community of grace, a community of hope, a community of change.

How Communities of Performance Impede Mission

How do communities of performance impede mission?

Communities of Performance	Communities of Grace
talk about grace, but communicate legalism	people can see grace in action
unbelievers can’t imagine themselves as Christians	unbelievers feel like they can belong
don’t attract broken people	attract broken people
the world is seen as threatening and ‘other’	people are loved as fellow-sinners in need of grace
conversion is superficial (people are called to respectable behaviour)	conversion is radical (people are called to transformed affections)
people are secretly hurting	people are open about their problems
people see faith and repentance as actions that took place at conversion	people see faith and repentance as daily activities
the gospel is for unbelievers	the gospel is for both unbelievers and believers

Creating Communities of Grace

Here’s my final post based on my talk on ‘Communities of Grace’ to the Evangelists Conference.
How can we create communities of grace? Let me suggest seven ideas:

(1) Make the connections
We need to teach grace. We need to often speak, pray and sing of the cross. But we also need to make connections with people. Plenty of people believe in justification by faith for the final day, but doubt justification by faith for the next. On a Monday morning in the workplace they are still trying to prove themselves, to find identity in their achievements. We need to paint a picture for people; to show them what grace in action looks like; to fuel their imaginations, tell stories.

(2) Welcome the mess
Welcome messy communities. Welcome messy people. Obviously you’ll want them to change, to become more like Jesus, to be set free from their slaveries. But don’t make your welcome dependent on change. Don’t suppress conflict. Don’t hide problems.

(3) Stop pretending
Don’t hide your own problems. You’ll need to exercise some discretion. Let everyone know you struggle. Let some people know what you struggle with. A break through moment in our context was when I confessed long-standing sin to a small prayer meeting. I didn’t do it to create a break-through moment, but that was the outcome. Other people suddenly felt able to confess their sin and it has led to a time of change and accountability throughout the community.

(4) Stop performing
Don’t put on a show. Don’t push people to perform, to produce results, to get it right all the time. Give people permission to fail. We’ve realised that polished Bible studies and articulate prayers disenfranchise semi-literate people.

(5) Eat and drink with broken people
The Son of Man who receives all authority in Daniel 7 comes eating and drinking (Luke 7:34). Jesus eats and drinks with sinners. It’s a powerful expression of community. We think we are enacting grace if we work among the poor, if we serve them. But we are only half way there. It is not really grace because we still act from a position of superiority. We think we are humble when we serve. But we have missed the dynamic that is going on. What we really proclaim is that we are able and you are unable. I can do something for you, but you can do nothing for me. Think how different the dynamic is when we sit and eat with someone. We meet as equals. We share together. We behave as friends. We affirm one another and enjoy one another.

(6) Give people time to change
I think there are some tensions and questions here, but we need to give people time to change. How long did it take for you to become perfectly like Jesus? Of course, you’re still changing. There are some sins we’re prepared to work on over a lifetime, but there are others where we demand instant change. Why is this? The answer, of course, is that we want them to become respectable. We don’t want a messy community. So we say, ‘You’re saved by faith, but to become part of the church (e.g. to be baptised) you need to change your life.’ So which is it? Are we saved by works or are we saved by works?

(7) Focus on the heart
What’s your agenda for change? All too often we focus on behaviour. We can list the behaviours we would like someone to stop or start. But Jesus says our behaviour comes from the heart (Mark 7:20-23). Our focus needs to be on the heart. Our job is to help people love God and treasure Christ. In Philippians 1 Paul says the aim of his ministry among them is their joy (1:25-26). He wants them to find joy in Christ – only then will people turn from the pleasures of sin. I do need to describe a life that pleases God. But my job is not to go round telling people to reform their lives or change their behaviour. My job is help people find joy in Christ.

How to Join a church (one example)

2011-11-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

I post this as an example for CrossView's website in the future...

How to Join (at Mount Vernon Baptist Church)

Attend Our Gatherings

The first step in joining Mount Vernon is really simple - come to some of our gatherings. Attending a Shepherding Group before joining the church is a great opportunity to meet members in a small group setting. Most importantly, come to our Sunday morning gathering, which is the heart of our all of corporate gatherings. In addition, participating on Wednesday or Sunday evening is another opportunity to meet members.

Knowing MVBC

Attend our Knowing MVBC class. In this 4 session class, you will learn our commitments, beliefs, leadership structure, and how to be involved in discipling and service. It is hosted by members and taught by pastoral staff. This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions about the church.

Membership Interview

Once you have attended all four sessions in Knowing MVBC, a membership interview will be scheduled with Pastor Aaron and another Elder. In this interview you will get to share your testimony and ask any questions you may have about Mount Vernon.

Baptism

We are committed to believer's baptism. We believe that members of a local church are those that have given evidences of God's sovereign work in being born again and have been baptized upon their profession of faith and repentance towards Christ. If you have not been baptized as a believer, then baptism would be required Contact us to learn more.

Church Vote

After a membership interview, you will be presented to the congregation at one of our members' meeting. Pastor Aaron will give a summary of your testimony and then the congregation will vote.

CrossView Church's Trellises for Disciple-making

2011-10-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

Thoughts:

1. The line is DNA (TNT – truth [know/obey] and training [character/competence])

2. The growth of the church in people come from CMTs and members engaging and winning the lost and through those who visit our Sunday gathering and are won to Christ in that context.

3. Some CMTs leave to start a new church

4. At the church plant you recreate the biggest box at the top again. It’s a Sunday gathering, a pastors’ training team, and CMTs.

5. This keeps from the Soma/GCM/Total Church mistake of not clearly defining who the local church is whom the members and pastors are accountable for. The TNT between teams and those in the Sunday gathering keep the bigger group as the primary community, people, and team that the church is accountable for. This means that CMTs are optional for CrossViewers.

6. The pastor needs an initial training time with his training team and then after that have a monthly meeting for maintenance, care, and untangling new or current issues in their teams and vine ministries. The leader meetings for maintenance: Bible, theology (reading/discussion), people work, prayer, and feedback.

For our Church Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, 10/30/11

2011-10-17T00:35:00.000-07:00

The Cambridge Declaration:

Thesis One: Sola Scriptura
We reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation,which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.

We deny that any creed, council or individual may bind a Christian's conscience, that the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, or that personal spiritual experience can ever be a vehicle of revelation.

London Baptist Confession (1689) 1.4

The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God.
( 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 John 5:9 )

John Frame:

“Divine authorship is the ultimate reason why Scripture is authoritative. Its authority is absolute because God’s authority is absolute, and Scripture is his personal word to us.”
“Since Scripture is God’s personal word, all of it is authoritative, for as Paul says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16), not just those parts that we find attractive, cogent, relevant, or culturally respectable.” (John Frame, Doctine and the Word of God, 165).

“[Scripture] claims, rather, (1) that God is the author of the whole biblical canon, (2) that we live by all of it (Matt. 4:4), (3) that God has the right to speak to us about anything at all, (4) that the purpose of Scripture is redemptive in a broad sense, not a narrow sense, and (5) that the redemptive purpose of Scripture is so broad that no area of human life is excluded from its concern” (ibid., 166).

T4G Affirmations and Denials:

Article I
We affirm that the sole authority for the Church is the Bible, verbally inspired, inerrant, infallible, and totally sufficient and trustworthy.

We deny that the Bible is a mere witness to the divine revelation, or that any portion of Scripture is marked by error or the effects of human sinfulness.
Article II
We affirm that the authority and sufficiency of Scripture extends to the entire Bible, and therefore that the Bible is our final authority for all doctrine and practice.

We deny that any portion of the Bible is to be used in an effort to deny the truthfulness or trustworthiness of any other portion. We further deny any effort to identify a canon within the canon or, for example, to set the words of Jesus against the writings of Paul.

CrossView Church Los Angeles Constitution

2011-10-12T15:10:00.001-07:00

December 1, 2008

PREAMBLE

Since it pleased Almighty God, by His Holy Spirit, to call certain of His servants to unite here under the name CrossView Church, for the worship of God and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we, the members of CrossView Church do hereby organize ourselves and adopt this Constitution as our articles of governance, to be interpreted at all times to reflect the character of and bring glory to Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Holy Bible and articulated in the Statement of Faith (2008) and Covenant of this church (2008).

ARTICLE 1 – STATEMENT OF FAITH (SEE SEPARATE DOCUMENT)

ARTICLE 2 – CHURCH COVENANT (SEE SEPARATE DOCUMENT)

ARTICLE 3 – NAME

3.1 The name of this church is CrossView Church Los Angeles.

ARTICLE 4 – MISSION

4.1 This church’s mission is to know Christ and make him known in all things for the joy of the people of L.A. and all peoples.

4.2 The church knows Christ and makes him known through living out our core values:

1. God-exalting Worship – God is to be worshiped only through Jesus Christ at all times and in all places as the supreme treasure of our lives individually and as a community. We will seek to exalt God in all things because in exalting him we find our greatest and deepest pleasures.

2. Gospel-driven – Rooting all of life and thought in the gospel and doing everything via the gospel, living out the implications of the person and work of Jesus Christ and justification by faith alone, making disciples and baptizing them;

3. Bible-saturated – Trusting in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, memorizing, meditating on, preaching, and seeking to understand and tremble at the word of God in order to be doers and not hearers only;

4. One another-practicing – Keeping the church covenant, staying committed to fellow members, building relationships, keeping one another accountable as we observe communion;

5. Church-planting – Planting dozens of churches in the city of L.A. and the greater L.A. area by training church planters, hosting church-planting internships, networking, working with the Southern Baptist Convention, funding, and modeling;

6. City-serving – Doing good to our neighbors and using our resources to serve the needs of the city. We want to seek the peace and prosperity of the city while at the same time respecting and learning from the city. We will seek to clarify the gospel message to them as we serve them.

7. Missions-mobilizing – Praying for and adopting unreached people groups, while supporting, calling and sending missionaries to unreached people groups.

ARTICLE 5 – MEMBERSHIP IN THIS BODY OF CHRIST

Section 1 – Qualifications

5.1.1 To qualify for membership in this church body, a person

1. must be a believer in Jesus Christ who gives evidence of regeneration,

2. who has been baptized in obedience to Christ, following his or her regeneration,

3. and who wholeheartedly believes in the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible.

4. Each member must sustain the doctrines of our church and not hold any settled convictions contrary to them, in accord with our Statement of Faith,

5. and must promise to keep the commitments expressed in the Church Covenant.

5.1.2 The normal process for becoming a member of the church body is

1. completion of all sessions of Members of the Body Considered (membership class),

2. an assessment of a person’s qualification for membership of the church body in an interview with an elder (pastor),

3. and a vote by the entire church on the basis of the person’s profession of faith.

Section 2 – Admission of Members into this Body of Christ

5.2 To be admitted as a member of the church body, applicants shall be recommended by the elders (pastors) for admission and accepted by vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at any regular or special meeting of the church body. At that point newly confirmed members shall relinquish their formal commitment in other churches.

Section 3 – Duties and Privileges of Membership in the Church Body

5.3.1 In accord with the duties enumerated in the Church Covenant, each member of the body shall be privileged and expected to participate in and contribute to the ministry and life of the church, consistent with God's leading and with the gifts, time, and material resources each has received from God. Only those who are members of this church body shall be entitled to lead in the ministries of the church. Non-members may serve on an ad-hoc basis with the approval of the elders. Notwithstanding, non-members may serve the church for purposes of administration and professional consultation.

5.3.2 It is the privilege and responsibility of members to attend all church body meetings and vote on the confirmation of officers, on decisions regarding membership status, and on such other matters submitted to a vote.

Section 4 – Watchcare Membership of the Body of Christ

5.4.1. Students and others temporarily residing in the Los Angeles area who are members of an evangelical church may apply for watchcare membership. Qualifications are identical to those for full membership as set out above, except that home church membership must be retained. A letter of commendation will be sought from the applicant's home church.

5.4.2 Duties and privileges of watchcare members are the same as for other members of the church body except that:

1. when absent from the Los Angeles area for extended periods of time they are released from the responsibility to attend our church gatherings;

2. while they will be encouraged to participate in church body meetings, they will not be eligible to stand for any office or to vote.

5.4.3 Termination of watchcare membership as a disciplinary measure will be as it is for other members of the body, except that the elders (pastors) shall notify the pastor(s) of the home church of that termination. Watchcare membership will normally terminate immediately upon the ending of the period of temporary residence in the Los Angeles area.

Section 5 – On Church Discipline

5.5.1 Formative discipline is inherent in the preaching, teaching, and exercise of other ministries in the church. When formative discipline fails due to sin, corrective discipline is then necessary. Corrective discipline is for the good of the church and the member of the church body who has sinned. It is never to be entered into lightly or quickly. The goal of corrective discipline is always remedial, that is, the goal is always the salvation and holiness and good of the one being disciplined.

5.5.2 Any member of this church body consistently neglectful of his or her duties or guilty of conduct by which the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be dishonored, and so opposing the welfare of the church, shall be subject to the admonition of the elders (pastors) and the discipline of the church, according to the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 and the example of Scripture. Church discipline, then, should only be contemplated after individual private admonition has failed.

5.5.3 Church discipline can include admonition by the elders or congregation, suspension from communion for a definite period, deposition from office, and excommunication (see Matthew 18: 15–17; 2 Thessalonians 3: 14–15; 1 Timothy 5: 19–20; 1 Corinthians 5: 4–5).

5.5.4 The purpose of such discipline should be:

1. For the repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth of the individual disciplined (Heb. 12:1-11; Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:5; Gal. 6:1);

2. For the instruction in righteousness and good of other Christians, as an example to them (1 Cor. 5:11; 1 Tim. 5:20; Heb. 10:24-25);

3. For the purity of the church as a whole (1 Cor. 5:6-7; Eph. 5:27; Rev. 21:2);

4. For the good of our corporate witness to non-Christians (Matt. 5:13-16; John 13:35; Acts 5:10-14); and

5. Supremely for the glory of God by reflecting His holy character (Deut. 5:11; John 15:8; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:12).

5.5.5 It is desirable in the case of public sin that a confession be made before the church in a specially called meeting, so that the church can freely extend forgiveness. Such public confession is especially necessary in the case of elders (pastors) and deacons/deaconesses (1 Tim. 5:19-20; Gal. 2:11-14).

Section 6 – Termination of Membership in the Body of Christ

5.6 Termination of membership in the body of Christ shall be recognized by the church following the death, transfer of membership, or voluntary resignation of any church member. Membership may be terminated as an act of church discipline at the recommendation of the elders (pastors) and with the vote of two-thirds of the body of Christ present at any regular or special meeting of the church. Voluntary resignation will not be recognized by the church when the member seeking to resign is in the process of corrective church discipline. Despite seeking to resign, the church will continue with the disciplinary process.

ARTICLE 6 – MEETINGS

Section 1 – Worship Meetings

6.1 Worship gatherings shall be held each Lord's Day, and may be held throughout the week as the church determines.

Section 2 – Church Body Meetings

6.2.1 In every meeting together, members of the body shall act in that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration which is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6.2.2 There shall be a regular church body meeting at least every quarter, at some time apart from the Sunday morning service, and at a time acceptable to the church body. The elders (pastors) shall see that the stated meetings of the church are regularly held and that required reports are submitted to the church by the responsible members of the church body.

6.2.3 Special church body meetings may be called as requested by the elders (pastors), or at the written request, submitted to the elders (pastors), of five percent of the voting membership. In the event of a written request from the members of the body, the elders (pastors) shall call a special meeting to be held within one month of their receipt of the request.

6.2.4 There shall be an annual church body meeting, at which normally officers are elected, positions filled, and a budget approved by the membership no more than three nor less than one month prior to the start of the fiscal year. The fiscal year will commence on January 1.

6.2.5 An elder designated by the elders shall preside as moderator at all church body meetings. The date, time, and purpose of any regular or special meeting shall be announced at all public services of the church at least two weeks preceding the meeting. Provided all constitutional provisions for notification have been met, a quorum shall be understood to be met by those members of church body present.

6.2.6 On any matter that is brought to vote, a two-thirds vote is needed for it to pass (unless this constitution specifies otherwise). Abstentions will not be considered as votes cast. Only votes cast by members of the body present at the time of the meeting will be counted.

6.2.7 Resolutions adopted by the elders (pastors) shall be reported to the church at church body meetings and may be reversed by the church by a majority vote of the members present.

ARTICLE 7 – OFFICERS

Section 1 – Summary

7.1.1 Jesus Christ is the Lord and head of this church, the chief Pastor, and He rules primarily through the Scriptures.

7.1.2 The biblical offices in the church are elders (pastors) and deacons/deaconesses, but the church is ultimately governed by the congregation. In addition, our church recognizes the administrative positions under this constitution of clerk and treasurer. All officers must be members of this church prior to assuming their responsibilities.

Section 2 – Elders (Pastors)

7.2.1 Subject to the will of the congregation, the elders (pastors) shall provide broad oversight to the ministry, financial management, and resources of the church. In keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:17; Tit. 1:5-9; Jas. 5:14; and 1 Pet. 5:1-4, the elders (pastors) shall seek the mind of Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the word of God as they undertake the work of shepherding God's flock. The elders (pastors) shall teach and exhort; refute those who contradict the truth; pray for the sick; care for the church’s members; devote themselves to prayer, to the government of the church and to ministry. The elders (pastors) shall provide oversight of the congregation and lead the church to fulfill its ministries.

7.2.2 The elders (pastors) shall not have a minimum of men who satisfy the qualifications for the office of elder (pastor) set forth in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Tit. 1:6-9[1]. Only men may serve as elders (pastors) in accord with 1 Tim. 2:12; 3:2. No elder (pastor) shall hold the office of deacon/deaconess during his tenure. Those elders (pastors) not receiving compensation from the church will be called “bi-vocational” for the purpose of this constitution, although biblically and functionally there is no difference among the elders (pastors).

7.2.3 The church shall recognize men gifted and willing to serve in this calling, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections. These men shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as elders (pastors). This recognition shall be reaffirmed by the church triennially. After a bi-vocational elder (pastor) has served two consecutive three-year terms, he shall not be eligible for re-election to the eldership for at least one year.

7.2.4 An elder’s (pastor’s) term of office may be terminated by resignation or by dismissal. Any two members with reason to believe that an elder (pastor) should be dismissed should express such concern to the elders (pastors) and, if need be only afterwards, to the congregation. Any such action shall be done in accordance with the instructions of our Lord in Matt. 18:15-17 and 1 Tim. 5:17-21. Any elder (pastor) may be dismissed by a two-thirds vote of the members at any formally called church body meeting.

7.2.5 The elders (pastors) shall take particular responsibility to oversee worship services, administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, equip the church body for the work of the ministry, encourage and teach sound doctrine, admonish and correct error, oversee the process of church discipline, coordinate and promote the ministries of the church, mobilize the church for domestic church-planting and world missions, examine and instruct prospective members, examine and recommend all prospective candidates for offices and positions, and oversee the work of the deacons/deaconesses and appointed church agents and committees. The elders (pastors) are further to ensure that all who minister the word to the congregation, including outside speakers, share our fundamental convictions.

7.2.6 The elders (pastors) may establish and oversee ministry positions and committees to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities. The elders (pastors) shall also have primary responsibility for the employment, supervision, and evaluation of staff members. The outworking of this responsibility may, on a case-by-case basis, be delegated to deacons/deaconesses or another staff member.

7.2.7 A paid or volunteer staff position does not in and of itself constitute an elder’s (pastor’s) position.

7.2.8 In proposing paid staff positions, the elders (pastors) shall present a job description for each position to the church for approval. The church may approve all candidates to fill such positions or may delegate this responsibility, on a position-by-position basis, to the elders (pastors), deacons/deaconesses, or other staff members. The elders (pastors) shall present a request to dismiss paid ministerial staff (i.e., those paid to do ministry) to the congregation. The elders (pastors) may hire and fire non-ministerial staff, or delegate that responsibility on a case-by-case basis.

7.2.9 The elders (pastors) may choose to operate among themselves by consensus, but they must have at least two-thirds approval of the elders (pastors) in order to proceed with an action.

7.2.10 The elders (pastors) shall elect a chairman who shall serve as chairman of elders’ meetings. In his absence, the elders (pastors) shall appoint another elder (pastor) to fulfill these duties.

7.2.11 For purposes of compliance with the nonprofit corporation laws of the state of California, the chairman of the elders (pastors) shall serve as the president of the corporation.

Section 3 – The Preaching Elder (Pastor)

7.3.1 The preaching elder (pastor) shall perform the duties of an elder (pastor) described in Section 2, above. He shall be recognized by the church as particularly gifted and called to the Sunday ministry of preaching and teaching the word of God.

7.3.2 In the absence or incapacity of the preaching elder (pastor), the other elders (pastors) shall assume responsibility for his duties, any of which can be delegated.

Section 4 – Deacons/Deaconesses

7.4.1 The office of deacon/deaconess is described in 1 Tim. 3:8-13 (cf. Acts 6:1-7). The church shall recognize, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections, men and women who are giving of themselves in service to the church, who possess gifts of ministry, and who are called to further service and care for the church’s members or ministries to the city. The number of deacons/deaconesses shall be determined by the needs of the ministry and the call and qualifications of men and women in the church. These members shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as deacons/deaconesses. This recognition shall be reaffirmed by the church triennially. After a deacon/deaconess has served two consecutive three-year terms, he or she shall not be eligible for re-election to the diaconate for at least one year.

7.4.2 Deacons/deaconesses shall advise and assist the elders (pastors) in any service that shall support and promote the ministry of the word, new and existing ministries of the church, and the care of the members of the congregation. The deacons/deaconesses may be organized in the most fitting way to accomplish the mission of the church. Thus the ministry of deacons/deaconesses may involve several diaconal committees. There is no requirement that the deacons/deaconesses meet as a committee of the whole.

7.4.3 The responsibilities of deacons/deaconesses do not include preaching, teaching, or spiritual oversight, which are the responsibilities of the elders (pastors), or financial control of the church. Deacons/deaconesses exercise a ministry of service, not a ministry of spiritual oversight. Although they may teach and preach in contexts in which they are not infringing upon the oversight duties of elders (Acts 6-7:53; Titus 2:3), the responsibilities of deacons/deaconesses include the following:

1. The ministry of mercy is a particular responsibility of deacons/deaconesses. They shall see that the sick, the sorrowing, the aged, and the infirm receive spiritual and physical comfort.

2. Deacons/deaconesses shall also attend to the benevolence ministries of the church. They shall receive, hold, and disburse a fund for benevolence, reporting on its use to the elders (pastors) at their request, and reporting to the church its total receipts and total disbursements only.

3. Deacons/deaconesses shall attend to the accommodations for public worship. Deacons/deaconesses may assist in providing for the elements during the Lord's Supper.

4. Deacons/deaconesses shall attend to the normal care and maintenance of church properties.

5. Deacons/deaconesses shall attend to the welcoming and greeting ministries of the church.

6. Deacons/deaconesses of finance shall attend to the budgeting process of the church.

7. At the elders’ (pastors’) recommendation, the church may recognize deacons/deaconesses to serve in other specific capacities as needs arise in the church.

7.4.4 Each year the deacons/deaconesses of finance, with the approval of the elders (pastors), shall present to the church an itemized budget at the regular church body meeting preceding the annual church body meeting. This budget shall be presented for discussion at that time and called up for a vote at the annual church body meeting.

7.4.5 No money shall be solicited by or on behalf of the church or any of its ministries without the approval of the elders (pastors) or the deacons/deaconesses responsible for the church’s finances.

Section 5 – Clerk

7.5.1 It shall be the duty of the clerk to record the minutes of all regular and special church body meetings, to preserve an accurate roll of the church, and to render reports as requested by the elders (pastors), deacons/deaconesses, or the church.

7.5.2 In the absence or incapacity of the clerk, the elders (pastors) shall appoint a member to perform the duties of the church clerk.

7.5.3 For purposes of compliance with the nonprofit corporation laws of the state of California, the clerk shall serve as the secretary of the corporation.

7.5.4 The church clerk shall ensure that dated copies of the most recent revision of this constitution shall be available for all church members.

Section 6 – Treasurer

7.6 The treasurer, who shall not be an active elder (pastor) or a paid church staff member, shall ensure that all funds and securities of the church are properly secured in such banks, financial institutions, or depositories as designated by the church. The treasurer shall also ensure that full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements are kept in books belonging to the church, and that adequate controls are implemented to guarantee that all funds belonging to the church are appropriately handled by any officer, employee, or agent of the church. The treasurer shall render to the elders (pastors) annually, or whenever they may require it, an account of all transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the church. The treasurer shall also be responsible for presenting regular reports of the account balances, revenues, and expenses of the church at regular church body meeting. The responsibility may be delegated with the approval of the elders.

ARTICLE 8 – APPOINTING OFFICERS

Section 1 – Principles

8.1 The process for church elections shall be interpreted and carried out to fulfill the following principles:

1. Substantial prayer, both individually and corporately, shall be an integral part of the election process.

2. Nominations shall proceed with the support of the elders (pastors).

3. All candidates for church office shall be treated with the grace, kindness, and honesty appropriate in evaluating fellow members.

4. The choosing process shall express that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration which is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Section 2 – Selection of Officers

8.2.1 The choosing of officers shall be held at any church body meeting. Two months prior to the choice(s) the elders (pastors) should seek recommendations and involvement from the church in the nomination process.

8.2.2 A slate of names of nominees to serve as elders (pastors), deacons/deaconesses, clerk, and treasurer shall be presented by the elders (pastors) and made known to the church at least one month prior to voting. Any member of the body with reason to believe that a nominated candidate is unqualified for an office should express such concern to the elders (pastors). Members of the body intending to speak in opposition to a candidate should express their objection to the elders (pastors) as far in advance as possible before the relevant church body meeting at which the church votes on the candidates.

8.2.3 The moderator of the church body meeting shall declare elected persons receiving a 75% majority of all votes cast for the office of elder. For all other offices, the moderator shall declare elected all persons receiving a simple majority of all votes cast; abstentions will not be considered as votes cast.

8.2.4 The persons elected shall assume their respective offices at the beginning of the fiscal year (unless another date has been specifically designated). Choices to fill any need that may occur during the course of the year may be held at any church body meeting, upon recommendation of the elders (pastors).

Section 3 – Calling of Vocational Elders (Pastors)

8.3.1 In the calling of any man to a vocational elder (pastor) position, the same basic process of calling an elder (pastor) must be followed, and the elders (pastors) shall encourage members of the congregations to submit names. In addition, the church shall be given adequate opportunity to assess the gifts and spiritual life of any potential vocational elder (pastor).

8.3.2 In selecting a vocational elder (pastor) his gifts in preaching and teaching and his commitment to minister personally to the members of this church will be prerequisites. The ability to preach will be assessed with particular care when selecting a potential preaching elder (pastor). Assessment of any candidate shall be made by a committee consisting of an elder (pastor) plus four members of the congregation, including at least two women. In addition, the church shall receive assurance from the elders (pastors) that, having interviewed the man concerned, they are in no doubt as to his wholehearted assent to the Statement of Faith and Church Covenant. The elders (pastors) shall bring only one recommendation to the church at a time.

8.3.3 Notice of the nomination of a man to be confirmed to membership of the body and called as a vocational elder (pastor) shall be given at two Sunday morning services following the nomination, prior to the vote at a church body meeting. The call of a vocational elder (pastor) shall take place at a business meeting set aside for that purpose. The extension of a call shall be made upon an affirmative vote of 75% of the members present.

ARTICLE 9 – INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1 – Mandatory Indemnification

9.1 If a legal claim or criminal allegation is made against a person because he or she is or was an officer, employee, or agent of the church, the church shall provide indemnification against liability and costs incurred in defending against the claim if the elders (pastors) determine that the person acted (a) in good faith, (b) with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a similar position would exercise under similar circumstances, and (c) in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the church, and the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The church shall purchase appropriate insurance to meet these potential liabilities.

Section 2 – Permissive Indemnification

9.2 At the discretion of the elders (pastors), the church also may indemnify any person who acted in good faith and reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in the church's best interest and not unlawful.

Section 3 – Procedure

9.3 If a quorum of the elders (pastors) is not available for an indemnification determination because of the number of elders (pastors) seeking indemnification, the requisite determination may be made by the church or by special legal counsel appointed by the church.

ARTICLE 10 – DISPUTE RESOLUTION

10.1 Believing that the Bible commands Christians to make every effort to live at peace and to resolve disputes with each other in private or within the Christian church (see, e.g., Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 6:1-8), the church shall urge its members to resolve conflict among themselves according to biblically based principles, without reliance on the secular courts. Consistent with its call to peacemaking, the church shall encourage the use of biblically based principles and the avoidance of suits of law to resolve disputes between itself and those outside the church, whether Christian or pagan and whether individuals or corporate entities. The elders (pastors) shall adopt policies and procedures to effect these aspirations.

ARTICLE 11 – AMENDMENTS

11.1 The Statement of Faith and Church Covenant may be amended by a three-quarters vote of the members present and voting at a church body meeting, provided the amendment shall have been offered in writing at the previous church body meeting, and shall have been announced from the pulpit at church services two successive Sundays prior to such vote.

11.2 This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a church body meeting, provided the amendment shall have been offered in writing at the previous church body meeting, and shall have been announced from the pulpit at church services two successive Sundays prior to such vote.

[1] This is at this stage of the church’s life, until it is more established with qualified elders, then we should look into having a minimum to maintain a plurality of elders.

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

2011-09-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

CrossView Church will be studying the topic of suffering and preparing for the suffering that is inevitable for us and those we love. Here's a good resource on the topic.

Hear or watch the conference audio/video.

Read the book based on the national Conference.

Being Devoted to Good Works

2011-09-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

Here are some articles on Christians doing good works which would be a good follow up to our recent series on the book of Titus:

Doing good: The shape of the Christian life (Part 1): Why we don’t

Doing good: The shape of the Christian life (Part 2): Why we can

Doing good: The shape of the Christian life (Part 3): What it looks like

Service Reviews at CrossView

2011-09-05T22:06:00.001-07:00

I want to set up a regular service review for our church. I just don't know when the best time to do this is. Brian Croft explains:

Here's one person's experience of being at a Capitol Hill Baptist Church Service Review.

Prayer guide for CrossViewers this week 9/5-9/11

2011-09-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

Please pray for all 28 members of CrossView Church by name. Pray for them to be driven by the Spirit to thoughtfully do good works, avoid foolish debates, and hold members accountable with a readiness to exclude unrepentant members (based on our Titus 3:8-11 sermon this past Sunday).

Pray for our mission teams this week:

Shatto - Pray for the team to contact each other this week and share life. Pray for Shatto to be engaged by some of the team this week in some way. And pray for their Friday meeting as we have new people attending our team meetings. Pray for a co-leader to be identified by PJ.
USC - Pray for the Disciple USC student ministry on campus. Ask God to give us 6 students to start a core mission team on that campus. Pray for Danny to lead well and for the students hearing the gospel to believe Christ and repent from sin and righteousness.
DB - We had 6 attend last week and 13 the week before. Pray for a team to be established and identified and for the other CrossViewers (besides Jun, Rey, and Yollie) to consider teaming up for mission in Diamond Bar. There was one visitor two weeks ago who heard the gospel. Pray for his salvation.

Pray for the preaching this coming Sunday on Titus 3:12-15. Pray for PJ's preparation.

Pray for God to be glorified in Marcelino and Kim's wedding this Saturday. Pray for CrossView to glorify God and gospelize those who attend the wedding and reception.

Pray for those in governmental authority.

Pray for conversions among those who are hearing the gospel through our church's members and ministries.

Pray for those attending CrossView and considering membership to become members.

Pray for other gospel churches:

CrossView Update 9/2/11

2011-09-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are supporting our church through being a member, praying, or financially giving to our mission budget, here's the latest on what's going on in and through CrossView Church LA. The bold sentences will be our prayer requests.

WITHIN THE CHURCH:

Goal 1: Stabilize the Church - We have been studying the book of Titus in our Sunday gatherings and have two more sermons on it before we begin our series on preparing for suffering. We are still financially unstable and need more financial supporters from outside the church to make ends meet. Our financial support from the North American Mission Board ends on 4/15/12. We have 28 members now with some (5) regular attenders who are considering membership. I don't foresee the church being financially stable without a membership of around 70-80 people. We've been averaging 40-50 in attendance the past month which is up from previous months. Please ask our Father to cause the regular attenders to commit to our church as members and for us to get enough financial support for PJ to not have to find a tent-making job.

Goal 2: Shape and recognize more pastor-elders - A group of men have been undergoing systematic theology training in biblical conviction for the past year and will be done in two lessons. They were not as faithful to the assignments as anticipated so there is question as to their readiness to serve as pastor-elders at this point, but the discussions have been good and led to growth in theological conviction and understanding. We started our biblical theology Sunday Seminar and some of the men who desire to serve as pastor-elders are in that seminar. Opportunities to preach have been given out as well as the opportunities to lead or co-lead a mission team. Pray for God to raise up men who are elder-qualified and shepherd the church already, even before recognized as pastor-elders.

Goal 3: Send teams to engage lost, spread gospel, and eventually plant churches - We identified two places we're trying to set up mission teams, one at USC and one in Diamond Bar (DB). The USC team will be led by Danny Hernandez and the DB team will be led by Art (Jun) Henares. Both teams have met for two weeks now but are still defining what the team will be. A team will not be identified (in terms of who is committed to the team and the team's gospel priority area [GPA]/mission) for another few weeks. Another one of our members desires to start a team in North Hollywood, but we're still praying in regard to that. Our Shatto mission team still exists and has lost Danny and Art to their new teams. We are continuing to learn how to be a team blessing our GPA (Shatto Recreation Center). Pray for 6 USC students to join our campus ministry as the USC mission team. Also pray for God to form and set an outward boldness with the gospel in our DB mission team. Pray for Art and Danny as they lead these teams.

Goal 4: Strengthen other churches in the LA area - We are part of TGC: LA and use that fellowship of pastors to strengthen other churches in the LA area. Owen Lee from New Life Burbank spoke in our August meeting on Gospel-centered ministry and Scott Mehl from Cornerstone West LA spoke about biblical counseling in our June meeting. Our next chapter meeting is in October. We are also (as a chapter) sponsoring the Trellis and the Vine Workshop on October 18-19 with author Colin Marshall for pastors, church leaders, and Christians who want to be equipped in people-and-Word-ministry. Pray for God to fill to capacity the Trellis and the Vine Workshop. Ask God to strengthen all the pastors and churches of TGC:LA. Please ask God for more pastors/churches who are like-minded to find us and participate in the chapter.

OUTSIDE THE CHURCH:
USC - We started a campus ministry called Disciple USC this semester. We've been able to share the gospel with 4 people who did not know it or understand it yet but have yet to see a conversion. One of those whom we had lunch with also visited CrossView Church last Sunday. Please pray that God would give us at least 6 USC students to form a mission team to engage this campus for the rest of this school year with the gospel.

Diamond Bar - One of the new converts from our Easter Sunday gathering is coming to our team orientation meetings and brought a non-Christian friend who just heard the gospel. Pray for his conversion and faith in Christ.

Shatto - Since we've not been coaching this past season things have been relatively quiet on this front. The new soccer season starts in two weeks and PJ will be coaching and Rock will be playing. There is one family that has befriended the Tibayans and want to come over for dinner. Please pray for the scheduling of the dinner, for Shatto teammates to join us, and for the family to hear and believe the gospel. Also pray for new friendships to form in the new soccer season and for old ones to be rekindled.

Podowon Baptist Church in Carson - I (PJ) spoke 5 times at their youth retreat in Catalina this past weekend. It was a great blessing and joy. Danny covered the pulpit for me at CrossView this past Sunday. God has blessed me with great friends at that church.

Life Baptist Church, Pasadena - PJ is scheduled to speak at their retreat on October 20-23. Please pray for unction in preaching and for the Spirit to shape their church according to the Scripture and the glory of Christ seen and savored afresh. PJ will speak to the church 4 times.

What Does It Mean To Practice Church Discipline In Our Era When People Are Prone To Sue?

2011-09-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

For 3 days only: Free eBook of The Gospel-Centered Life Leader’s Guide (a $12.99 value)

2011-08-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

This nine-lesson small group study is being used in churches all over the world to teach participants how the gospel shapes every aspect of life. Each lesson is self-contained, featuring clear, biblical teaching and requires no work outside of the group setting. The self-explanatory Leader's Guide helps small group leaders teach and apply the material.

"I have not seen a better resource for training people in the implications of the gospel. It communicates both to the new Christian and to the seasoned pastor, much like the gospel itself."
Darrin Patrick
"This is a rich gospel-centered small group curriculum that I am really excited to see published."
Mark Driscoll
"With simple and direct language, The Gospel-Centered Life helps people understand and effectively apply the gospel to their lives, regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey. It's one of the few resources out there that explicitly challenges others to reach out with the gospel, even as it is growing deeper into their own lives. I highly recommend it!"
Steve Childers

America is Addicted to Porn and LA is a big reason why

2011-08-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

And according to wikipedia, the San Fernando Valley (a region of the city of LA) is the porn capital of the world: "According to the HBO series Porn Valley, nearly 90% of all legally distributed pornographic films made in the United States are either filmed in or produced by studios based in the San Fernando Valley."

HT: Ed Stetzer for the image

This is a cross post with the TGCLA blog and God is Better than All.

3 Suggested Methods for Reading the Bible with another Believer (or unbeliever)

2011-08-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

Four steps to preparation (from One to One Bible Reading: A Simple Guide for Every Christian, p. 35):

Pray for understanding and that God will use these meetings to grow your mutual faith in the power of the gospel.
Read through the assigned portion of the Bible at least twice.
Write down your impressions after reading the text each time – observations, main points, questions you have (depending on what sort of framework you are useing).
Pray based on what you have read, and pray again for your forthcoming meeting.

The Swedish Method

No prep time
Pick a passage or book to go through regularly
Look for an insight, question, application, and who you want to share what you learned with.
Discuss together and pray

COMA

Choose passage or book
See prep time above
Read passage out loud
Ask questions of Context, Observations, Meaning, and Applications.
Pray together about what you learned
Use these sheets

6 Steps to Encouragement

15 minutes prep time for everyone before meeting – writing 5 things about the passage (insights, application, questions, etc).
30 minute discussion time – read the passage aloud together and discuss your 5 things
Pray

This is a cross post with the TGCLA blog and God is Better than All.

Reading the Bible One to One with Non-Christians at USC

2011-08-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

We recently kicked off our student ministry at USC (Disciple USC). At the ministry fair we asked the incoming students who came to the fair, “Why did God send you to USC? And how does that shape you?”

Students had all kinds of answers from “to get a degree,” to “study a particular discipline,” to “I don’t know.” One student said, “To be salt and light.” And that was what we were trying to get at, that God sent these Christian students to USC to make disciples of others and explain the gospel to those God has appointed for them to come across.

The most interesting conversation was with 3 students from China who didn’t know how to answer the question. One of them answered, “To learn about Christianity?” These 3 didn’t know about Christianity and came to the fair because they wanted to learn about it. So I tried to share the gospel with 2 of them. They had very little knowledge of Christian categories like God, sin, substitution, and faith vs. works (side note: for how D. A. Carson would approach this, go here). I don’t know how well I answered their question but we did schedule to meet for lunch so that I could explain Christianity to them. We’ll be reading the gospel of Mark and using these sheets from One to One Bible Reading: A Simple Guide for Every Christian as a guide to our weekly readings over lunch. Below is the pdf at the bottom of which is the 8 sessions on reading through the gospel according to Mark. I hope it is helpful for you.

One to One Bible Reading Sheets for printing

This is a cross-post with God is Better than All and the TGCLA blog.

Titus 3:1-7 Gospel Living Toward Outsiders

2011-08-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

In this sermon we looked at what it means to live consistently with the gospel toward the outsiders (the government and all people) and the reason behind this lifestyle (our conversion). So there were two main points, (1) Remember how to live toward outsiders and (2) Remember your conversion by the Spirit's power. The second point is an extended meditation on the gospel and our conversion with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit's role regenerating us.

I was encouraged by the lavish grace of God that he would pour his Spirit out on us so abundantly.

Here's the text and sermon video:

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. 4 But when the goodness of God and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us — not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that having been •justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. [Titus 3:1-7 HCSB]

"The Essence of Grace" Titus 2:11-15 Sermon is now up

2011-08-09T17:46:00.001-07:00

There are 4 parts to the essence of grace:

Grace appeared - when Jesus Christ came, died, rose, and ascended (v. 11)
Grace trains us for life - to deny ungodliness and wait for Christ's return (vv. 12-13)
Grace is personal - it's about Jesus who gave himself to redeem us as his people (v. 14)
Grace speaks - it speaks actively, through people, repeatedly, authoritatively, and inescapably (v. 15)

The grace of God is the reason and motivation for the life we live consistent with sound gospel teaching (Titus 2:1-10). We do well to understand it.

Watch or download The Essence of Grace

Pastor-Elder Vows

2011-08-08T01:12:00.001-07:00

When CrossView Church installs a new elder, the following vows will be recited between an elder, the elder(s) being confirmed, and the congregation. These vows will also be printed in the church bulletin in their entirety.

[To the elder(s) being confirmed]

1. Do you reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior?

I do.

2. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, totally trustworthy, fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, the supreme, final, and the only inerrant rule of faith and practice?

I do.

3. Do you sincerely believe the Statement of Faith and Covenant of this church contain the truth taught in the Holy Scripture?

I do.

4. Do you promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with any of the statements in the Statement of Faith and Covenant you will on your own initiative make known to the other elders (pastors) the change which has taken place in your views since your assumption of this vow?

I do.

5. Do you subscribe to the government and discipline of CrossView Church?

I do.

6. Do you promise to submit to your fellow pastor-elders in the Lord?

I do, with God’s help.

7. Have you been induced, as far as you know your own heart, to accept the office of pastor-elder from love of God and sincere desire to promote His glory in the Gospel of His Son?

I have.

8. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in promoting the truths of the Gospel and the purity and peace of the Church, whatever persecution or opposition may arise to you on that account?

I do, with God’s help.

9. Will you be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties as pastor-elder, whether personal or relative, private or public, and will you endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your manner of life, and to walk with exemplary piety before this congregation?

I will, by the grace of God.

10. Are you now willing to take personal responsibility in the life of this congregation as an pastor-elder to oversee the ministry and resources of the church, and to devote yourself to prayer, the ministry of the Word and the shepherding of God’s flock, relying upon the grace of God, in such a way that CrossView Church, and the entire Church of Jesus Christ will be blessed?

I am, with the help of God.

[To the congregation]

Will the members of the CrossView Church family please stand?

1. Do you, the members of CrossView Church, acknowledge and publicly receive this man as an elder (pastor), as gifts of Christ to this church?

We do.

2. Will you love them and pray for them in their ministry, and work together with them humbly and cheerfully, that by the grace of God you may accomplish the mission of the church, giving them all due honor and support in their leadership to which the Lord has called them, to the glory and honor of God?

We will.

[Close in prayer]

Very Clear Practical Help on Living as a Constant Evangelist from Jeff Vanderstelt

2011-07-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

“If we start to learn to integrate the extra hours of our life with the life of unbelievers there will be unlimited opportunities to share the gospel. It isn’t hard to find opportunities to share the gospel. It’s hard for us to make our lives available and open for those opportunities. That’s the real challenge.” – Jeff Vanderstelt (See the whole 3 minute video here)

This insightful. I find Jeff's words wise and true. The challenge for me is sharing life with unbelievers in the extra hours of their day. For my family that means sharing life with those who are at Shatto Park and the challenge now is to find times for integrating life beyond coaching their games and practices. I feel like my family is on the right track, but still so far from an integrated life of mission to love people with the intention of explaining and applying the gospel message to them. Our church has one mission team that is open to learning how to live this life, but I need to identify what the next steps are.

For my family, I as the husband and father need to make sure my wife and kids feel treasured and focused on while also being able to train them to engage our neighbors together. I am not good at this. When we have a neighbor over, it is very hard to integrate the lives and experiences of my 5 and 3 year old into the conversation. My wife and I are still trying to figure this out.

For my mission team, this means eating together with open invitations to others at least weekly outside of the Friday team meeting. Maybe we should identify Sunday nights or Saturday nights or Wednesday nights and make it a point to just eat together and invite whoever God brings us across.

This is a cross-post with PJ's blog.

Prepare for one of the songs we're singing tomorrow

2011-07-23T16:39:00.001-07:00

Because we're singing this tomorrow, it would be good for you to familiarize yourself with the lyrics so you can sing to the Lord in Spirit and truth. Verses 2, 3, and 4 are from God's perspective speaking to our church and to you individually.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

Titus 1:9-11 (CSB) with CSB Study Bible Notes

2011-07-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

9 [Elders-overseers are to be] holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. 10 For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. 12 One of their very own prophets said,Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. 13 This testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith 14 and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of men who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.

CSB Study Bible Notes:

1:9 It was common for ancient authors to emphasize one item in a list by placing it at the beginning or end and then giving it significantly longer treatment than the other items. This is what Paul does here. While he spent only a few words on the items in verses 6-9, his treatment of this last subject is both long and grammatically complex. By this means he emphasized the importance of an "overseer" (v. 7) being able to teach. The reason for this is clear from what follows (vv. 10-16).

1:12 Crete was known in the ancient world for its moral decadence. The ancient historian Polybius wrote that it was "almost impossible to find... personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust than in Crete" (Histories, 6.47). Cicero also stated, "Moral principles are so divergent that the Cretans... consider highway robbery honorable" (Republic, 3.9.15).

1:14 On myths, see note at 1Tim 1:4 (directly below). The specific content of the "myths" and command Paul had in mind in the present verse is unstated, but the false teaching in Titus is more explicitly tied to a Jewish background (v. 10) than that referenced in 1 and 2 Timothy.

(Note from 1 Timothy 1:4): Myths is a negative term used to characterize something as fanciful or untrue. Thus it is used here (and elsewhere in the Pastoral Epistles; 2Tim 4:4; Titus 1:14) to critique false teaching as the stuff of "fairy tales."

1:15 This statement echoes Jesus' teaching (Lk 11:41) and Paul's earlier writing (Rm 14:20). In light of the Jewish origin of the false teaching and contexts of the earlier use of similar wording by Jesus and Paul, the issue here was probably Jewish food laws. The false teachers seemed to be concerned with this ritual purity, but were nevertheless defiled by their own unbelief and sin.

1:16 The actions (works) of these people proved conclusively that they were unbelievers, although they claimed to know God. Paul was not hesitant to make such a judgment. The three descriptors at the end of the verse summarize the behavior that proved they did not know God.

THE CHICAGO STATEMENT ON BIBLICAL INERRANCY

2011-07-18T17:42:00.001-07:00

Preface

The authority of Scripture is a key issue for the Christian Church in this and every age. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to show the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully obeying God's written Word. To Stray from Scripture in faith or conduct is disloyalty to our Master. Recognition of the total truth and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture is essential to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority.

The following Statement affirms this inerrancy of Scripture afresh, making clear our understanding of it and warning against its denial. We are persuaded that to deny it is to set aside the witness of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit and to refuse that submission to the claims of God's own Word which marks true Christian faith. We see it as our timely duty to make this affirmation in the face of current lapses from the truth of inerrancy among our fellow Christians and misunderstanding of this doctrine in the world at large.

This Statement consists of three parts: a Summary Statement, Articles of Affirmation and Denial, and an accompanying Exposition*. It has been prepared in the course of a three-day consultation in Chicago. Those who have signed the Summary Statement and the Articles wish to affirm their own conviction as to the inerrancy of Scripture and to encourage and challenge one another and all Christians to growing appreciation and understanding of this doctrine. We acknowledge the limitations of a document prepared in a brief, intensive conference and do not propose that this Statement be given creedal weight. Yet we rejoice in the deepening of our own convictions through our discussions together, and we pray that the Statement we have signed may be used to the glory of our God toward a new reformation of the Church in its faith, life, and mission.

We offer this Statement in a spirit, not of contention, but of humility and love, which we purpose by God's grace to maintain in any future dialogue arising out of what we have said. We gladly acknowledge that many who deny the inerrancy of Scripture do not display the consequences of this denial in the rest of their belief and behavior, and we are conscious that we who confess this doctrine often deny it in life by failing to bring our thoughts and deeds, our traditions and habits, into true subjection to the divine Word.

We invite response to this statement from any who see reason to amend its affirmations about Scripture by the light of Scripture itself, under whose infallible authority we stand as we speak. We claim no personal infallibility for the witness we bear, and for any help which enables us to strengthen this testimony to God's Word we shall be grateful.

* The Exposition is not printed here but can be obtained by writing us at the Oakland office: ICBI / P.O. Box 13261 / Oakland, CA 94661 / (415)-339-1064.

A SHORT STATEMENT

1. God, who is Himself Truth and speaks truth only, has inspired Holy Scripture in order thereby to reveal Himself to lost mankind through Jesus Christ as Creator and Lord, Redeemer and Judge. Holy Scripture is God's witness to Himself.

2. Holy Scripture, being God's own Word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God's instruction, in all that it affirms, obeyed, as God's command, in all that it requires; embraced, as God's pledge, in all that it promises.

3. The Holy Spirit, Scripture's divine Author, both authenticates it to us by His inward witness and opens our minds to understand its meaning.

4. Being wholly and verbally God-given, Scripture is without error or fault in all its teaching, no less in what it states about God's acts in creation, about the events of world history, and about its own literary origins under God, than in its witness to God's saving grace in individual lives.

5. The authority of Scripture is inescapably impaired if this total divine inerrancy is in any way limited or disregarded, or made relative to a view of truth contrary to the Bible's own; and such lapses bring serious loss to both the individual and the Church.

ARTICLES OF AFFIRMATION AND DENIAL

Article I

We affirm that the Holy Scriptures are to be received as the authoritative Word of God.

We deny that the Scriptures receive their authority from the Church, tradition, or any other human source.

Article II

We affirm that the Scriptures are the supreme written norm by which God binds the conscience, and that the authority of the Church is subordinate to that of Scripture.

We deny that Church creeds, councils, or declarations have authority greater than or equal to the authority of the Bible.

Article III

We affirm that the written Word in its entirety is revelation given by God.

We deny that the Bible is merely a witness to revelation, or only becomes revelation in encounter, or depends on the responses of men for its validity.

Article IV

We affirm that God who made mankind in His image has used language as a means of revelation.

We deny that human language is so limited by our creatureliness that it is rendered inadequate as a vehicle for divine revelation. We further deny that the corruption of human culture and language through sin has thwarted God's work of inspiration.

Article V

We affirm that God' s revelation in the Holy Scriptures was progressive.

We deny that later revelation, which may fulfill earlier revelation, ever corrects or contradicts it. We further deny that any normative revelation has been given since the completion of the New Testament writings.

Article VI

We affirm that the whole of Scripture and all its parts, down to the very words of the original, were given by divine inspiration.

We deny that the inspiration of Scripture can rightly be affirmed of the whole without the parts, or of some parts but not the whole.

Article VII

We affirm that inspiration was the work in which God by His Spirit, through human writers, gave us His Word. The origin of Scripture is divine. The mode of divine inspiration remains largely a mystery to us.

We deny that inspiration can be reduced to human insight, or to heightened states of consciousness of any kind.

Article VIII

We affirm that God in His Work of inspiration utilized the distinctive personalities and literary styles of the writers whom He had chosen and prepared.

We deny that God, in causing these writers to use the very words that He chose, overrode their personalities.

Article IX

We affirm that inspiration, though not conferring omniscience, guaranteed true and trustworthy utterance on all matters of which the Biblical authors were moved to speak and write.

We deny that the finitude or fallenness of these writers, by necessity or otherwise, introduced distortion or falsehood into God's Word.

Article X

We affirm that inspiration, strictly speaking, applies only to the autographic text of Scripture, which in the providence of God can be ascertained from available manuscripts with great accuracy. We further affirm that copies and translations of Scripture are the Word of God to the extent that they faithfully represent the original.

We deny that any essential element of the Christian faith is affected by the absence of the autographs. We further deny that this absence renders the assertion of Biblical inerrancy invalid or irrelevant.

Article XI

We affirm that Scripture, having been given by divine inspiration, is infallible, so that, far from misleading us, it is true and reliable in all the matters it addresses.

We deny that it is possible for the Bible to be at the same time infallible and errant in its assertions. Infallibility and inerrancy may be distinguished, but not separated.

Article XII

We affirm that Scripture in its entirety is inerrant, being free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit.

We deny that Biblical infallibility and inerrancy are limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes, exclusive of assertions in the fields of history and science. We further deny that scientific hypotheses about earth history may properly be used to overturn the teaching of Scripture on creation and the flood.

Article XIII

We affirm the propriety of using inerrancy as a theological term with reference to the complete truthfulness of Scripture.

We deny that it is proper to evaluate Scripture according to standards of truth and error that are alien to its usage or purpose. We further deny that inerrancy is negated by Biblical phenomena such as a lack of modern technical precision, irregularities of grammar or spelling, observational descriptions of nature, the reporting of falsehoods, the use of hyperbole and round numbers, the topical arrangement of material, variant selections of material in parallel accounts, or the use of free citations.

Article XIV

We affirm the unity and internal consistency of Scripture.

We deny that alleged errors and discrepancies that have not yet been resolved vitiate the truth claims of the Bible.

Article XV

We affirm that the doctrine of inerrancy is grounded in the teaching of the Bible about inspiration.

We deny that Jesus' teaching about Scripture may be dismissed by appeals to accommodation or to any natural limitation of His humanity.

Article XVI

We affirm that the doctrine of inerrancy has been integral to the Church's faith throughout its history.

We deny that inerrancy is a doctrine invented by Scholastic Protestantism, or is a reactionary position postulated in response to negative higher criticism.

Article XVII

We affirm that the Holy Spirit bears witness to the Scriptures, assuring believers of the truthfulness of God's written Word.

We deny that this witness of the Holy Spirit operates in isolation from or against Scripture.

Article XVIII

We affirm that the text of Scripture is to be interpreted by grammatico-historicaI exegesis, taking account of its literary forms and devices, and that Scripture is to interpret Scripture.

We deny the legitimacy of any treatment of the text or quest for sources lying behind it that leads to relativizing, dehistoricizlng, or discounting its teaching, or rejecting its claims to authorship.

Article XIX

We affirm that a confession of the full authority, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture is vital to a sound understanding of the whole of the Christian faith. We further affirm that such confession should lead to increasing conformity to the image of Christ.

We deny that such confession is necessary for salvation. However, we further deny that inerrancy can be rejected without grave consequences both to the individual and to the Church.

Titus 1:5-9 text and CSB Study Notes

2011-07-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Titus 1:5-9 (CSB)

5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town: 6 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

1:5 On elders, see notes at 1Tim 3:1 and 3:2-7.

1 Timothy 3

3:1 The terms overseer, "elder," and "pastor" are all used in the NT to refer to the same office. "Overseer" emphasizes the task of watching over the congregation (Heb 13:17).

3:2-7 These verses do not give a job description for the pastor. They describe the character of a person who would serve in this office. The list is not intended to be exhaustive, but it envisions a person of mature Christian character.

3:2 The meaning of husband of one wife is widely debated. It probably does not refer to the issue of divorce. It could be a prohibition of polygamy, but most likely it refers to marital faithfulness in general. An able teacher is the one requirement in this list that is not necessarily required of all believers. It is also not required of deacons. Thus, it is a distinguishing mark of the pastor (Titus 1:9).

3:4-5 The management of one's own household is highlighted by the greater amount of discussion given to it. The home is the proving ground of Christian character. This complements the picture of the church as "God's household" (v. 15).

3:6 The point of this verse is not that new believers tend to be more proud, but that quickly elevating a new convert to a leadership position might result in sinful pride.

1:6 On husband of one wife, see note at 1Tim 3:2. Having faithful children assumes, but does not require, that such men will likely have children at home still under their authority. The word "faithful" can also be translated "believing." This raises an important question about whether pastors are required to have Christian children or children who are more generally "faithful" or obedient. This word and its related forms in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus most often refer to having saving faith and not merely to being "faithful." But context is the primary issue in understanding which nuance of the word is intended. The emphasis of the context here is on a man fulfilling his duties well. No father can guarantee the conversion of his own children. He can better insure that they act in a "faithful" way while they live under his supervision. Also, the parallel passage in 1 Timothy 3 speaks only to the children being well behaved, not to their conversion. Thus, Paul was requiring pastors to govern the behavior of their children, not allowing them to be characterized by wildness or rebellion.

Word Study: episkopos

episkopos

Greek Pronunciation	[eh PIHS kah pahs]
HCSB Translation	overseer
Uses in Titus	1
Uses in the NT	5
Focus passage	Titus 1:7

By the time of the NT, episkopos already enjoyed a long history of usage, referring to deities or community officials, rulers, or leaders. In the NT, however, the term takes on a clearly religious overtone, appearing as a title meaning an overseer (apparently synonymous with presbuteros [elder]; Ac 20:28; Titus 1:7). In the early church, the Holy Spirit commissioned each overseer through apostolic selection and appointment (Ac 14:23, 20:28; Titus 1:7). The overseer held a vital service role within the congregation (1Tim 3:1). This necessitated high moral standards and management skills (1Tim 3:2-7; Titus 1:7-9). Several overseers were responsible for shepherding and managing the affairs of their local congregation (Ac 20:28; Php 1:1; Titus 1:7). Jesus, to whom belongs the church, is the "shepherd and guardian" par excellence (1Pe 2:25).

1:9 It was common for ancient authors to emphasize one item in a list by placing it at the beginning or end and then giving it significantly longer treatment than the other items. This is what Paul does here. While he spent only a few words on the items in verses 6-9, his treatment of this last subject is both long and grammatically complex. By this means he emphasized the importance of an "overseer" (v. 7) being able to teach. The reason for this is clear from what follows (vv. 10-16).

Must a Pastor-Elder's Children be "Faithful" (in obeying parents) or "Believing" (in Christ)?

2011-07-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

I'm preaching on Titus 1:5-9 this Sunday. Here's one of the questions raised in the passage that I may not have time to get into: "Must a Pastor-Elder's Children be "Faithful" (in obeying parents) or "Believing" (in Christ)?"

Here are different takes on it:

John MacArthur believes the children must savingly believe: "[It] may be that you as a father have made every effort, every good and righteous effort possible to lead your children to faith in Christ and you have not seen the fruit that you would desire. You are not responsible for your child's rejection before God but neither would you be qualified to be an elder or a pastor in the church." He writes in his commentary on Titus that "faithful" is used of God, his words, and people in general.

"But it is significant that , except for this sometimes disputed text, it always is used of people whom the context clearly identifies as believers. Unbelievers are never referred to as faithful. That fact alone argues strongly for the rendering here of children who believe, that is, who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Even if the idea were of faithfulness to patents, the use of pistos in those other passages would argue for its referring to the faithfulness of believing children. In an elder's home, especially, a child who is old enough to be saved, but is not, can hardly be considered faithful. He would be unfaithful in the most important way" (30).

He goes on to say that if the children are too young then 1 Timothy 3 applies and as they grow older "the issue is no longer control, the more demanding criteria of Titus 1 comes into play" (30).

John Piper, Justin Taylor, Matt Schmucker, D. A. Carson, and Andreas Kostenberger take it to mean "faithful."

Here's Carson's take on it (though I'd refer you to Taylor or Kostenberger for more substantial arguments since Carson's comes from a sermon that was much broader in scope):

I think it is mistranslated in the NIV. The NIV renders Titus 1:6, "An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient." Does this mean that the children of every leader must be Christians? And if you say yes, then from what age? Two? Five? Seventeen? In fact, the particular term that is used there, "must believe," is an adjective that in many places is rendered "must be faithful." And in fact, in contemporary first-century lists of social virtues, where moral characteristics are laid out, the word always has that force. I think that what the text is saying is not that the children must be saved – after all, grace doesn’t run in the genes – but that at the end of the day, they must be faithful, not wild or profoundly disobedient.

I think it means faithful and refer you to the links above to hear or read why.

The Necessity of Growing and Sustaining Faith in Christ Jesus

2011-07-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I preached on Titus 1:1-4. That passage teaches that Paul existed as an apostle to build the faith of God’s elect because of the hope of eternal life. One of the parts I skipped over in the sermon due to time was the truth that because the hope of our eternal life is secure, our growth and sustenance in faith is secure as well. God not only predestined that we would have eternal life but that we would have the saving, growing, and sustaining faith to get there. God guarantees your faith will be sustained and grow! He himself will sustain and grow it! This should encourage us to grow in faith by hearing and meditating on the Word of Christ in Scripture. Paul wrote and served for the elect to hear and know God’s Word.

Today in my quiet time I was trying to memorize fighter verses 1 Peter 1:3-5. It says this, “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

This living hope is the same “hope of eternal life” Paul spoke of in Titus 1:1-4. Peter says that we “are being protected by God’s power through faith” for this hope. We must sustain and grow faith in Christ by constant hearing God’s Word and receiving the grace that comes in it. This is the means through which hope is attained. But make no mistake, your faith, sustained and growing, is God’s power actively protecting you. God is so good! If you believe in Jesus Christ right now, and are resolved to continue to, it is ultimately because God’s power is right now, in this moment, actively protecting you.

This is a cross post with PJ's blog "God is Better than All".

Titus 1:1-4 Sermon - Get Ready, God's Grace is Coming

2011-07-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

Our latest CrossView Sermon is now available on Vimeo to watch or listen to. It was on Titus 1:1-4 and titled, "Get Ready, God's Grace is Coming."

You can view it at: http://vimeo.com/26302834 (also embedded below on this blog post)

Here are the Main Points:

Intro: Grace decays so we need to continually receive it. Paul gives us 4 things to think about in being more prepared to receive God's grace.

I. Receive grace and peace by recognizing who Paul is (v. 1a)

II. Receive grace and peace by growing in faith and knowledge (v. 1b)

III. Receive grace and peace by understanding why you need to grow in faith and knowledge (v. 2-3)

IV. Receive grace and peace by cultivating a sense of expectation to receive grace more and more (v.4)

_______________________________________________________________

Here are some reflection questions and pointers that may help in receiving what is preached:

What did the God speak directly to your heart and mind today from the message preached?
Why don’t you look forward to the hope of eternal life with God in the New Earth as much as you ought to? And how could you cultivate that desired hope so that it pushes you to grow in faith and knowledge?
What thought, feeling, or action is God telling you to change for your good and his glory?
How can you cultivate a sense of expectation and anticipation as you listen to the preaching on Sundays and as you read Scripture?
Read the booklet Listen Up! A practical guide to listening to sermons by Christopher Ash. If you don’t have a copy request one from PJ next time you see him. Share what you learn with other Christians and apply it to your sermon listening.
Email pj@crossviewchurchla.org sharing thoughts, comments, questions, and/or suggestions (constructive criticism).

Our Gospel Identites as Christians at CrossView Church

2011-07-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

The first thing to say about us is not what we do, but who we are because of what God has done for us through his Son and by his Spirit.

1. The family of God
Because God is our Father, we are the family of God. Our heavenly Father graciously accepts us and cares for us. We are united as brothers and sisters.

2. The light of God
Because Jesus is our Prophet, we are the light of God. God has illuminated us through Jesus and we witness to his liberating truth through our words and actions.

3. The heirs of God
Because Jesus is our Saviour, we are the heirs of God. Jesus has set us free from the condemnation our rebellion deserves through his death in our place. We have received the promise of a glorious inheritance, making us like refugees in this age.

4. The servants of God
Because Jesus is our King, we are the servants of God. We follow Christ’s example of sacrificial love, finding freedom and joy in serving God and others.

5. The temple of God
Because the Holy Spirit is God’s empowering presence, we are the temple of God. We are saints, people set apart for God, and the home in which God lives.

What we Believe about the Tri-une God

2011-06-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

(1) The Tri-une God[1]
We believe in one God,[2] eternally existing in three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,[3] who know, love, and glorify one another.[4] This one true and living God is infinitely perfect both in his love and in his holiness.[5] He is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible,[6] and is therefore worthy to receive all glory and adoration.[7] Immortal and eternal,[8] he perfectly and exhaustively knows the end from the beginning,[9] sustains[10] and sovereignly rules over all things,[11] and providentially brings about his eternal good purposes to redeem a people for himself and restore his fallen creation, to the praise of the glory of his grace.[12]

[1] This means we believe the following views to be wrong on this point: Unitarians, Judaism, Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian Science, and Scientology.

[2] Deuteronomy 6:4 - Listen, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is One.

[3] Matthew 28:19 - Go, therefore, and make disciples ofall nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...

[4] 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 - ⁴ About eating food offered to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,” and that “there is no God but one.” ⁵ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth —as there are many “gods ” and many “lords ”—⁶ yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from Him, and we exist for Him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through Him, and we exist through Him.

[5] 1 John 4:8 – The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Isaiah 6:3 - And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Yahweh of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth.

[6] Colossians 1:16 - For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.

[7] Revelation 4:11 - Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.

[8] 1 Timothy 1:17 - Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:15-16 - He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; no one has seen or can see Him, to Him be honor and eternal might. Amen.

Isaiah 40:28 - Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding.

[9] Isaiah 46:10 – I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.

[10] Colossian 1:17 - He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

[11] Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases.

Ephesians 1:11 - We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will,

[12] Romans 11:36 - For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Ephesians 1:6, 10, 12, 14 - ⁶ to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved… ¹⁰ for the administration of the days of fulfillment —to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him… ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory… ¹⁴ He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.

A few reasons you should NOT join CrossView Church

2011-04-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

I read this helpful blog post at The Resurgence website. I thought I’d put most of the reasons here with a few thoughts applied to CrossView Church. The numbers are from the original blog post and my thoughts are labeled as such. So here are some reasons you should NOT join CrossView Church…

1. If you’re looking for the next cool thing in town (We want to grow by conversion growth, not church-goer transfer growth).

My thought: Our church is not that cool. We want growth primarily by conversion, though we’re happy to grow by Christians who are homeless (not currently committed to a local church as a member).

2. If you’re a Christian and you don’t like your current church (You will find reasons to not like this church).

My thought: There are many reasons to not like CrossView Church! We’re a bunch of sinners who are also saints. We sin against God and each other. We have so many things that need to be developed. We are in many significant ways unorganized. We have some members that are less passionate for God, less missional, less engaging the neighbors and lost, less involved, and they need to be patiently and firmly moved along. There are more reasons that I’m sure you’ll find.

3. If you have a bad track record at churches of being unteachable and causing problems (You won’t change here, you’ll repeat the pattern).

My thought: You might change at CrossView Church. God’s Word is powerful. But you might not. Know this, if you join CrossView, you’ll be held accountable to believe and live according to God’s Word. We have our statement of faith and church covenant as outlines of what we hold each other accountable to. If you try to leave for a sinful reason and not a God given one, you will be held accountable to the point of church discipline and excommunication.

4. If you’re a consumer wanting to “go to church” 1x a week for a nice show (We are not a Sunday show, we are a community of disciples on a mission).

My thought: We value our Sunday corporate gathering. But being a Christian, following Jesus, and being a member involves much more than a Sunday gathering. We seek to gospelize throughout the week, which means we want to encourage one another throughout the week (Hebrews 3:12) and evangelize our lost neighbors and friends compelled by Christ’s love. We won’t forsake the gathering of ourselves together, but we gather to encourage others on Sunday and throughout the week together on mission.

5. If you want religion (This church will be built on the radical gospel of grace).

My thought: This is the gospel we preach.

6. If you have an agenda (We have our vision, our mission, and our values–your private agenda does not supercede them).

My thought: We’re glad to hear your thoughts, but don’t think that you’ll just shift the direction and agenda of the church over night. And don’t be offended when you give your thoughts and they are heard but not followed. We all want to follow what we can best discern to be Jesus’ leading for our church.

7. If you’re a wolf (We will sniff you out).

My thought: We sniffed one out already. Church membership and close relationships make a wolf’s scent much more noticeable.

8. If you think this will be a nice little church that stays the same size, where everybody knows your name and you have my cell number on speed dial and we have a picnic lunch together every week (By God’s grace, we want to grow).

My thought: We are a nice little church now. But we don’t intend to be. We do have mission teams that seek to be nice smaller sizes to share life more regularly together and engage others together. But the church as a whole won’t be that size and the pastors won’t always be your mission team leader.

9. If you think this will be easy and smooth (This will be hard and difficult; this will be a fight, a battle, and a challenging mission).

My thought: It’s hard work to persuade sinners to repent and believe in Jesus. It’s hard work to fight sin in your own life, let others in, and help others in their faith in Christ. Don’t be offended to be called on to fight sin and help others. You will be called upon at our church if you join.

10. If you want to hold onto your comfortable life (You must lose your life).

My thought: If you want to hold onto your comfortable life, you shouldn’t (and might not even) be a Christian.

CrossView Church Covenant

2011-04-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

(Adopted October 26, 2008)

Having, as we trust, been brought by Divine Grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to Him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant before God with each other.

We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We will walk together in brotherly love, as fits the members of a Christian Church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others.

We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.

We will rejoice at each others' happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each others' burdens and sorrows.

We will seek, by Divine aid, to love and do good to our neighbors, and to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.

We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

Why I’m preparing to Preach a Series called, “Prepare to Suffer”

2011-04-26T23:18:00.000-07:00

Michael Horton writes:

The experience of suffering itself does not make us experts on the subject. Golfing more will not correct one’s bad swing; only training can do that. And so we need to learn from God’s will only tend to reinforce what we already believe, whether it’s good or bad theology (To Good to be True, 20).

I am not ready to suffer. I don’t know if I could ever be fully ready. But I can be better prepared than I currently am. And so can my church. As one of their pastors, I must prepare them well since I’ll have to give an account for my shepherding them (Hebrews 13:17). Suffering and pain is coming (and in many cases already here). Please pray for us.

Here are the resources I’m consulting:

How Long O Lord? by D. A. Carson
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God edited by John Piper
If I were God I’d End All Pain by John Dickson
Suffering and Evil by Scott Petty
To Good to be True by Michael Horton
Suffering for the Sake of the Body Seminar by John Piper
The Goodness of God by Randy Alcorn (I’m not consulting this one yet, but will if I have time)

Sermons on Job I’d like to hear but will probably not have time:

Rejoice with those who rejoice

2011-04-22T09:33:00.001-07:00

God blessed one of our members, Taylor, with a promotion (conversion) at work. Praise the Lord Jesus and read about it here.

Jesus the Messiah, The Gospel According to Mark

2011-04-07T17:09:00.000-07:00

John prepares the way for Jesus
John baptizes Jesus and the Father speaks while the Spirit descends
Jesus is led by the Spirit to be tempted in the wilderness
Jesus proclaims the gospel in vv.14-15 - this seems to summarize his teaching ministry and tied to the core of his death/resurrection mission.
Jesus calls disciples Peter, Andrew, James, and John
Jesus casts out an unclean spirit in Capenaum
Jesus healed many
Jesus would pray in solitude in the morning.
Jesus would preach, cast out demons, cleanse lepers and the unclean, and healed the sick while hiding his identity.
He called tax collectors and ate with sinners, prostitutes, and tax collectors calling the sinners to repentance and faith.
Jesus answered objections about fasting and the Sabbath.
The Pharisees and Herodians wanted to destroy him.
Demons (unclean spirits) recognized Jesus and Jesus silenced them.
Jesus appointed 12 apostles and sent them out to preach and cast out demons.
His family thought he was out of his mind.
The scribes said he is possessed by Beelzebul.
Jesus spoke of the eternal sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Jesus defines his real family as those who do God's will.
He spoke in parables to hide the secrets of the kingdom of God, teaching about the seed and hearts of people hearing God's Word, the need to receive the teaching, the dynamic growth of the kingdom from small beginnings.
He calmed the storm and sea with a word.
He heals a strong man with demonic power and casts them into pigs.
He heals the woman with a blood discharge and raises a 12 year old girl from the dead.
Jesus rejected in his home town (why couldn't he do work there? 6:5)
Jesus sends out the 12 apostles to preach repentance, casting out demons, and healing the sick.
John the Baptist was killed and all kinds of people had theories about who Jesus was.
Jesus feeds 5000 because he had great compassion on them.
Jesus walks on water (the disciples' hearts were hardened) and heals more people.
Jesus confronts tradition and teaches moral defilement.
Jesus serves a Gentile by healing a woman's daughter from demon oppression.
He makes the deaf hear and mute speak.
Jesus feeds the 4000
Jesus corrects the Pharisees for seeking a sign
Jesus warns the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. The disciples hearts are hardened, their eyes can't see and their ears can't hear and they don't remember what Jesus has been doing.
Jesus heals a blind man in two stages - first with vague seeing, then full sight.
Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah.
Jesus starts to foretell his death and resurrection, rebuking Peter.
Jesus calls the crowd to discipleship which means following, self-denial, death, and forfeiting life to gain life.
Jesus was transfigured and told the 3 not to tell anyone.
Jesus casts a demon out of a boy and teaches his disciples that this kind is cast out by prayer. The demon was too deep.
Jesus warns them a second time that he will die and rise. The disciples are too scared to ask.
Jesus tells them to be first by being last and being like a child.
Jesus teaches: Don’t stop those who are for us.
Jesus teaches: Don’t cause a little one to sin or else you will be destroyed.
Jesus teaches: Fight sin or go to hell.
Jesus teaches: marriage is permanent on earth.
Jesus touches and spends time with children and teaches a lesson to the disciples.
Jesus teaches: on wealth and inheriting eternal life by selling all to follow him.
Jesus tells of his death and resurrection a third time.
James and John ask to sit in the prominent spots. Jesus teaches on serving others by his example of his giving his life.
Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus because of his faith and Bartimaeus follows Jesus on the way.
Jesus enters the temple with the triumphal entry.
Jesus curses a fig tree.
Jesus cleanses the temple and provoked the scribes and chief priests against him.
The fig tree withered and is used as an object lesson for faith in God.
Jesus authority questioned.
Jesus teaches a parable of tenants to expose the religious leaders
Jesus answers a challenge about taxes
Jesus answers a challenge about the resurrection
Jesus answers a challenge about the greatest command
Jesus points to his superiority over David
Jesus warns to beware of the scribes’ hypocrisy.
Jesus commends the poor widow for her offering.
Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple, warns people to endure to the end, and speaks of the intense tribulation.
Jesus predicts his second coming and that the signs will show when he is near.
The chief priests and scribes plot to kill Jesus
Jesus is anointed for burial and he scolds his disciples
Judas decides to betray Jesus.
Jesus has Passover with the 12 and tells them 1 will betray him.
They do the Lord’s Supper.
Jesus tells them they’ll abandon him. He even uses Scripture! Peter rebukes Jesus. Jesus rebukes Peter.
Jesus prays in Gethsemane and struggles with the task at hand.
Judas leads the crowd to Jesus to arrest him.
A young naked man ran away.
Jesus before the chief priests, elders, and scribes council and they couldn’t find good evidence against him.
They charge Jesus with blasphemy deserving of death, and they beat him.
Peter denies Jesus thrice, the rooster crows twice.
Jesus is delivered over to Pilate. Pilate was amazed at Jesus silence.
Pilate gives in, releases Barabbas, and delivers Jesus to be crucified.
The soldiers mock him, beat him, and stripped him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
They brought him to the place of the skull and crucified him dividing his clothes.
Jesus was crucified and continually mocked at 9am on Friday morning.
Darkness covered over the whole land at 12pm. At 3pm Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
At 3pm Jesus dies. Women who supported him were looking on. The centurion was amazed and confessed Jesus was the Son of God.
Joseph buries Jesus and seals it with a stone.
On that Sunday, they go to the empty tomb and Jesus body is gone. An angel tells them Jesus rose and to see him in Galilee just like he told them.
They went out, fled, amazed, and afraid without saying anything to anyone.

5 Reasons Why CrossViewers Should Never Go "AWOM"

2011-03-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for church members who don't go "Absent WithOut a Message" (AWOM). In our church, as it is still small, we've tried to cultivate a culture of accountability where members message (email or text) the church or pastor when they won't be making it to our Sunday gathering. Here are 5 reasons why CrossViewers should never go AWOM.

First, this decreases the disconnect from not seeing a member for 13 days. If you miss a Sunday and you only see another member on Sundays, to miss two weeks is to go 13 days without seeing them and 20 days if they miss two consecutive Sundays. That's a lot of life, experiences, trials, and things to share. When a member misses two or three consecutive Sundays they can feel disconnected from the church, and so messaging the church regarding where God is sending you this coming Sunday and how the church can pray for you keeps you connected and sharing life with the body.

Second, this encourages the pastors. Now for better or worse, some pastors (like me), get discouraged when members don't come to a Sunday gathering. We have our own issues to work through with pride and misplaced encouragement. My point here is that when members are aware of their pastor's care and responsibility for them, their message helps pastors to know that they are aware of God's leading in their Sunday absence. It also helps pastors to know how best to shepherd them. Maybe they don't have a good reason for being absent and need guidance on how to better think about it. Even when it is a good reason for absence, the pastors can now be more aware of intentionally encouraging the member since they missed the stirring up to love and good works from the Sunday gathering (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Third, this encourages other members. It is an act of love to open yourself to the church members to be known by them. It helps them to hold you accountable. It reminds them that we are connected to each other. Our church covenant is more than words. We actually mean and want to live according to the promise, "We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together" taken from Hebrews 10:25.

Fourth, it serves as an example to younger and less mature members about staying connected to their church family. Many new members (and some old ones) don't understand the nature of being committed to a church body as a family. When they read a message from one of the members whom God sent elsewhere, it serves as a model to imitate.

Fifth, messaging the church helps members assess whether it was a good reason to miss the gathering. Was God really wanting you to miss the Sunday gathering to go to where you went? Maybe. Maybe not. Messaging the church and telling them where you think God is sending you this Sunday, why you think he's sending you there, and how other members can pray for you requires thought and sensitivity to God's leading. This helps discourage silly or illegitimate absences. It also strengthens gospel intentionality and a spirit of worshipping God as you go elsewhere.

So message the church when you think God is sending you elsewhere, why he's sending you, where he's sending you, and how we can pray for you.

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(This is a cross post with PJ's personal blog)

Prayer for Japan

2011-03-12T23:25:00.000-08:00

Prayer for Japan

Father of mercies and God of all comfort, you are in absolute control of every shake and every wave that happened last week. You command the waves to stop where they will and they obey you. You command the sea and wind and they instantly heed your word. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and untraceable ways. We pray that you would comfort the grieving Christians and future Christians who are in Japan hurting now, with the comfort that you alone can give. We pray that you would draw near to them in a special way that they would know that you near to them through Christ. In Jesus you tasted pain, loss, and the cup of wrath. You know what it's like to lose it all, feel abandoned, and overwhelmed by sin and its effects on one's life.

We pray that you would provide for the needs of your people and those who are not your people. Father you love them all and cause the rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. We cry for mercy for Japan. Not for what they deserve. But mercy. We pray that you would have mercy on them and cause them to repent from their sin and trust in Christ. You desire all men to repent and come to the knowledge of the truth and you certainly can open blind eyes and unstop deaf ears to see and hear of the glory of Christ and his cross.

We are not better than they. You call us to weep with those who weep. But you also call us to weep over our sin. We humble ourselves under your holy majesty and we repent. We too could be swept away and deserve no better than our fellowmen in Japan. You don't treat us according to our sins or repay us according to our iniquities. If you do we'd be undone. We deserve to be overtaken by earthquakes, tsunamis, and nuclear radiation seeping into the atmosphere where we live. We deserve your judgment and wrath. We have taken you lightly. But you call us to repent, for judgment will also come upon us in a moment. We deserve to lose our homes, cars, loved ones, and neighborhoods. So help us to grieve for our sin even as we mourn for the pain and loss, millions of losses, of our fellow humans.

We pray for the Christians there and the Christians who are going there to love their neighbors well and meet needs even as they shine the light of the gospel and seek to explain it in words. We pray for the money of Christians used to bless those in need there, that it would be stewarded well and maximized for the most good that can be done. We pray that you would work this together for their good as you purposed for the display of your glory.

In Jesus' merciful name, Amen.

(I was helped by John Piper's prayer for Japan)

Prayer of praise and prayer of confession for our church gathering

2011-03-12T23:11:00.000-08:00

Prayer of praise

Father, we praise you because you are filled with compassion. You overflow with compassion and long for sinners to return to you. You desire that all men be saved from your judgment and come to a knowledge of the truth. When we repent and come to you, you run to us, hug us, kiss us, and put a ring on us accepting us as your children when we deserve judgment and slavery to sin. And then you celebrate our salvation! You celebrate our repentance and faith in Christ. You call others in the church and in heaven to celebrate with you when your children come home. For that we praise you and give you thanks. Your compassion is amazing. We praise you because even though we deserve cursing in our sin, you give us blessing in Christ. We love you our great God and Father, because you first loved us and show your love in that when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Prayer of confession

Father, forgive us for taking sin lightly. Forgive us for taking you lightly and not caring about your holiness. We have prioritized our building our houses and agendas over building your house, your church, and seeking first your kingdom. We have been overly discouraged in our sin rather than receiving your grace, resting in your forgiveness, and pursuing you passionately. Forgive us for starving ourselves by not living by every word that comes out of your mouth. Forgive us for hearing much more of your word than we actually do. Forgive us for not confessing our sins to you and each other more frequently because we'd rather be thought of as holy than actually being holy.

Please forgive us for these sins and others that we'll confess to you now...

Prepare to Hear Haggai 1:1-15 on 2/27/11 at CrossView Church

2011-02-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

1. Read and pray over our text for this Sunday, Haggai 1:1-15. It would be a good idea to read with your family or people you’re meeting with. We’ll be studying Haggai for the next 4 Sundays, so you may want to read chapter 2 already since we’ll spend 3 weeks on that chapter and it’s not too long.

2. Read Ezra chapters 1, 3-6 for the background to the book of Haggai. Notice that Haggai is mentioned in 5:1 and 6:14.

3. Consider reflecting on these questions and pointers as you read Haggai 1 (feel free to email the group your thoughts or post on our facebook group page):

What stands out to you from the text?
What question popped into your mind as you read the chapter?
What do you think and sense the Spirit saying to you? What does he want you to do?
Why was God withholding blessing from his people?
Where were the people’s priorities?
What do we learn about God in this story? Do you see any connection to Jesus Christ in the text?
Where do you see yourself in the story?
Should we build a church building?

4. For the really hungry and motivated, read all of Ezra and Nehemiah to know what was going on in that time during the prophecy of Haggai after they returned from exile in Babylon.

Pray for our Sunday gathering. Consider how the Spirit wants you to stir people up this Sunday. If you’re not going to make it, email the church and let us know where God is sending you and how we can pray for you.

A Pastor's Reflection on this Sunday's Gathering with CrossView Church

2011-02-13T20:28:00.000-08:00

Grateful for the members commitment to attend

We almost had all members in attendance today which is rare. We had all but 2 members attend (who still live in the area). That's the most we've had in a long time. I'm glad they patiently hear me preach God's Word to them and seek to strengthen each other as we worship God and converse. It's good to be in a church where we take our covenant commitment to each other seriously. I praise God that many of the members email the church or text me as their pastor when they can't make it so they are still connected to the body.

Sharing leadership to train leaders

Jun led the gathering today. He tried to do it all and his own, which is quite difficult and burdensome. I know because I do that every month or so. I'm glad that Jun could relieve me and others in serving our church through leading our gathering. Though we can always improve, his service relieves and makes my preparation to each much easier than most people realize.

Today's sermon

I preached on 2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6. The main point was, "Gospelize boldly." To "gospelize" is to announce, explain, and apply the gospel to another person or persons. Gospelizing is applying the gospel to both unbelievers AND believers. The text gave us four reasons to gospelize boldly: (1) because we've been given a new covenant ministry (2 Cor. 3:7-18); (2) because we're being transformed from glory to glory right now (2 Cor. 3:18); (3) because we've been shown mercy (2 Cor. 4:1-2); and (4) because God shines light in dark hearts through us (4:3-6). I planned on a different sermon with the main point being stare at glory and proclaim glory, but I think the sermon I actually preached more accurately communicates the main point of the passage. The biggest conviction and message from God to me in this, as best I can discern, is for me to boldly commend myself to others as I proclaim Jesus as Lord to others and proclaim myself as their slave for Christ's sake (4:2 and 4:5). I tried to boldly gospelize a member of my church that I've been neglecting and being timid about, but I'm only in the first step of obeying the Spirit in gospelizing my fellow church member.

Encouragement in preaching

One of our members encouraged me in my preaching today. I've felt this discontent with my preaching and dire need to for help from God. This feeling of inadequacy is good. But it was bordering on discouragement. So God, who is rich in kindness, used one of my brothers to encourage me regarding my preaching ministry in general. God knew what I needed. I know there's lots of room for me to grow and ground to regain that I think I've lost in this skill, but hearing a member of the church that has covenanted with me to our church and mission is the best encouragement I could hear. I'm off this Sunday at our church but I'm excited to jump back into the pulpit serving our members the message of Haggai in the weeks to come.

Momentum

I feel like CrossView Church is building momentum at this point. I may be wrong, but in my view men are being raised up and growing, relationships are deepening in the church and with our target community (the Shatto Rec Center neighbors), and the Easter celebration is in sight. With one mission team meeting weekly and learning how to engage our community together and two teams getting set to start, I'm excited to see what God is doing in our church fam.

Editor’s Note: This is a cross-post from PJ’s blog at God is Better than All.

Why does God include wrath/judgment in the proclamation of his goodness in Exodus 34:6-7?

2011-01-08T16:39:00.001-08:00

(This is a reflection on a part of the text that was not mentioned in the sermon preached on 1/9/11 on Exodus 34:5-9)

[6] The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, [7] keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

Verse 6 talked about who God is in terms of his identity and character. In verse 7 God proclaims what he does because of who he is. Because he is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, he [keeps] steadfast love for thousands, [forgives] iniquity and transgression and sin. This is how his mercy, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness are displayed and expressed. God perseveres in love. He forgives sins and sinners. That’s his goodness which is the apex of his glory.

But this goodness is unintelligible and non-existent without his justice and righteousness that is also upheld. Therefore not only does he persevere in love and repeatedly forgive, but [he] will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation. This is the righteousness of God. But “righteousness” or “justice” is not part of the “name” or “glory” of God proclaimed to Moses in verse 6. Why mention God visiting the iniquity (“bringing the consequences”, CSB) in this proclamation of God’s goodness? I think there’s two parts to this answer. First, God’s goodness seen in his “mercy, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness” is only that in connection with his bringing the righteous consequences on the guilty. So, if God did not punish the guilty then mercy would not be mercy, grace would not be grace, and love would not be love. Paul writes in Romans 9:22-23, “And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath ready for destruction? ²³ And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory” (CSB). God displays his wrath “to make known the riches of his glory” on objects of mercy. God’s mercy could not be known[1] without God’s righteous wrath. Now God’s glory is supremely seen in his goodness (mercy, grace, love, faithfulness), and that is made known by God displaying his wrath.

Second, if all were forgiven we wouldn’t feel the grace. If none were punished then we would not know the glory of mercy. We would feel like we deserved to be in God’s presence and kingdom forever not by virtue of God’s mercy per se, but by virtue of our being human. If God were to be glorified and celebrated for his mercy toward sinners, than his judgment toward other sinners is the wisest way to communicate that mercy.[2]

[1] It could not be “known” for one of two reasons: (1) mercy would be unintelligible though existing, or (2) mercy would cease to exist if justice/wrath did not exist. I think it’s the second reason since all of God’s characteristics and actions are held together and interdependent in various ways. So I take the inability to “know” God’s mercy as the impossibility of knowing mercy because mercy would cease to exist.

[2] It’s assumed that the cross of Christ is included in the way to communicate the glory of God’s goodness to us, but God clearly thinks it best to communicate his mercy not only by contrast with Christ’s propitiation, but with unbelievers’ eternal condemnation.

Thankful for Jun Henares preaching today

2010-11-28T21:35:00.000-08:00

"No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven."

There are many things I've received from heaven (God). I'm grateful that I was not preaching at CrossView Church today.

Don't misunderstand. I love preaching God's Word and I love preaching to my local church. But today has been just the 6th Sunday in 2 years (107 Sundays) that I've not preached. Ideally, I'd like to preach 40-45 Sundays a year and allow anywhere from 7-12 Sundays for others to preach (and even more to share if we have several elders who will preach or eventually plant). I was blessed to have my brother Jun Henares bring the Word from Colossians 1:21-2:5. He challenged me to always remind myself of the gospel, to speak the gospel to others, and to pursue maturity in Christ even as I help other CrossViewers mature in Christ.

Three things struck me from the sermon and text. First, I was challenged and refreshed with Jun's passion and preaching of the gospel on his first point. It was good to hear the gospel preached to me in that context. Secondly, God struck me with how much Satan works to keep us in the dark and immature in Christ. Jun kept calling us to the right (being full maturity in Christ) and away from the left (being darkness or even just being content with being "converted"). He called us to work hard in "moving to the right" because Satan is working even harder to "move us to the left." I tend to minimize the demonic influence and role in our spiritual warfare and this was a jolting reminder. Third, the mystery is striking: "Christ in you all, the hope of glory." There's depths and riches in that statement that are glorious, freeing, and profound. I'd love to meditate on that statement more extensively at some point.

Methods of Meditation on Scripture

2010-09-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

Summary of the methods of meditation on Scripture taught by Don Whitney
Download the Word Doc or PDF.

1. Repeat the verse or phrase with emphasis on a different word each time.
Whatever He says to you do it (John 2:5). Whatever He says to you do it.
Whatever He says to you do it. Whatever He says to you do it.
Whatever He says to you do it. Whatever He says to you do it.

2. Rewrite the verse or phrase in your own words.

3. Look for applications of this text – what should you do in response to it?

4. Formulate a principle from the text.

5. Pray through the text.

6. Ask the Philippians 4:8 questions.
What is true or what truth does it exemplify? What is lovely about it?
What is honorable about it? What is admirable or
commendable about it?
What is right about it? What is excellent about it?
What is pure or how does it exemplify purity? What is praiseworthy about it?

7. Ask the “Joseph Hall” questions:
What is it (define and/or describe what it is)? What are its qualities and attachments?
What are its divisions or parts? What is contrary, contradictory or different to it?
What causes it? What compares to it?
What does it cause (its fruits and effects)? What its titles or names?
What is its place, location or use? What are the testimonies or examples of
Scripture about it?

8. Discover a minimum number of insights into the text (set the number in advance).

9. Find a link or common thread between all the chapters of paragraphs you’ve read.

10. Use Meditation Mapping.
A. Put the verse(s), phrase, word or topic to be meditated upon in the middle of the page. (When possible, this should be done in picture form.)
B. Allow insights, ideas and thoughts to come quickly and freely.
C. Use key words to represent your ideas.
D. Connect your key words ideas to the central focus with lines.
E. Use as few words per line as possible.
F. P-r-i-n-t all the words for easier reading.
G. Use color for emphasis and recall.
H. Make frequent use of symbols and pictures in addition to words.

See: Buzan, Tony. The Mindmap Book. New York: Plume/Penguin, 1996.
Wycoff, Joyce. Mindmapping. New York: Berkley, 1991.

Panel Discussion: Marriage in a Post Prop. 8 Culture

2010-09-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

Why churches don't feel like family

2010-07-26T01:09:00.000-07:00

Why a Church Covenant? A Sermon by John Piper

2010-07-17T22:40:00.001-07:00

Read or hear the sermon.

Here's a portion of it:

One of the reasons we don't feel the necessity of a church covenant today is because we take the existence of local churches so for granted. There are thousands of them in the greater Twin Cities. So we don't often ask the question: what constitutes a visible local body of believers as a church?

But put yourself back into the early 1600s in America. As the early Congregationalists and Baptists struggled with the formation of new churches, they wrestled with just what made a group of people into a church. The answer given again and again was that what made a group of persons a church was a covenant—a solemn pledge to one another that they would believe in Christ and worship and minister in common.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN

2010-07-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

From the Grace Church website:

Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in Scripture.

God Is Sovereign Creator. Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

God Is Holy. God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Mankind Is Sinful. According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we’re utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. (Romans 3:10-12).

Sin Demands a Penalty. God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death: (Ezekiel 18:4). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.

Jesus Is Lord and Savior. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (Colossians 1:16). Therefore He owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).

The Character of Saving Faith. True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3,5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and [obey] Him (1 John 2:3). It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don’t love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).

Preparing for our Sunday Gathering, 7/11/10

2010-07-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

We will gather at Shatto Recreation Center, 3191 W. 4th St, Los Angeles, 90020 from 10am to 12pm and then we'll have lunch together.

Prepare to be encouraged by praying for the church and seek the Lord's will as to who you will intentionally encourage and bless this week or when we gather on Sunday (Hebrews 10.24-25).

We'll be thinking about the mission of the local church. Prepare to hear the Word preached by reading, reflecting, and praying over:

Also ready your ESV Study Bible notes on these passages (or a commentary or the MacArthur Study Bible).

Read this portion of Jonathan Leeman's article that really gets at the heart of the mission of the local church.

You can email questions or thoughts on the passages to me directly (pj@crossviewchurchla.org) or leave a comment on this blog.

Should we change our Sunday Morning Gathering program?

2010-06-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

The Mission of God the Father

2010-06-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, is supreme in rank among the persons of the Godhead.[1] Paul clearly teaches that God (the Father) is the “head” of Christ (the Son) (1 Corinthians 11.3) meaning that the Father is “ruler” having “authority over” Christ.[2] Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that the Father is the one person/thing that is not subjected to Jesus the Son (1 Corinthians 15.27-28). But what is the Father’s specific mission to be accomplished as steps to the wider mission?

The Mission of God the Father is to glorify himself by being the ultimate agent in creating, purposing, and overseeing all things and sending his Son and Spirit.

By ultimate agent I mean that the Father is the one who finally and primarily stands behind the tasks of creating, purposing, and overseeing all things. In Matthew 1.22, it says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet.” Who spoke? The Lord or the prophet? Both. But one was the ultimate agent who was finally speaking and one was the intermediate agent who was speaking as an instrument of the ultimate agent. The prophet spoke. But finally and ultimately, it was the Lord speaking through the prophet.

In the same way, the Son can be said to have created all things as the intermediate agent, means, or instrument through whom the Father created the world (John 1.3; Col 1.16, Heb 1.2). So Hebrews 1.2 says, “in these last days he (God) has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Through whom did “he” create the world? The Son. Who created the world through the Son? “God” (Heb 1.1). Clearly, God the Father is the ultimate agent who created the world.

But the Father did not only create the world for his glory in the mission of the Triune God, he also sets for his purpose for redemption. Reading Ephesians 1.9-11, we quickly see the Father’s role and mission of purposing all things in the universe in general and redemption in particular. Paul writes, “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory” (emphasis mine). Whose will is it? Whose purpose is it? And for what ultimate mission? It’s the Father’s will. It’s the Father’s purpose. The Father wills and purposes redemption, the uniting of all things in Jesus Christ (v. 10), to the praise of the Father’s glory which is the ultimate mission.

The Father also uniquely sends the Son and the Spirit as part of the Father’s mission. He sends his Son to accomplish redemption through his death, securing forgiveness of sins (Eph 1.7). God “gave” his Son to the world because he loves the world (John 3.16). Jesus tells us plainly, “I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me” (John 7.29). In seeking to define what the Father sent the Son to do would be to describe the specific subordinate mission of the Son which we’ll look at next. It’s important to note here that part of the Father’s mission in glorifying himself is sending the Son. The Son does not send himself. The Spirit did not send him to the earth.

The Father also sends the Spirit into the world who seals the church as the down payment of the coming inheritance (Eph 1.13-14). Jesus tells us the Father gives the Spirit sends him to the church, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14.26). Bruce Ware comments,

Clearly, then, the Father has primacy in what is pictured here, for the Spirit is sent from the Father… it must be the case that the ultimate Sender of the Spirit is the Father, and the subordinate Sender is the Son… The primary sending agent, then, is the Father, and the Father enjoins the Son’s participation in sending the Spirit, since the Spirit comes to “bear witness about me,” as Jesus puts it.[3]

As members of God’s people sent by him on our particular subordinate mission consistent with the specific mission of the Father tied consistently into the ultimate mission of the Triune God, we should celebrate the fact that the Father chose us in Christ (Eph 1.3). He didn’t have to choose and predestine those of us he has, but he did as part of his mission for his glory. What an unshakable foundation for joy and gladness! We should marvel at the fact that this Missional Father loves us with a great and particular love that is even distinct from his love for the world. In John 3.16 God expresses his love for the whole world, elect and non-elect, by giving his Son with the free and genuine offer of salvation for all who would believe. Then God tells us in Ephesians 2.4 that because of God’s great love for his elect, he made them alive together in union with Christ to display the glories of his grace (Eph 2.7). God the Father has a deep, powerful, active, live-giving love that he lavishes on his people in Christ. This helps us to feel and receive God’s great love without losing the focus that it’s all for the glory of the Father. Indeed, though the Father oversees all things in the universe for his glory in Christ, he doesn’t do it at the expense of our joy and benefit, but in accordance with it. Every good and perfect gift we ever receive is from God the Father (James 1.17) and God will give freely and abundantly all that we need for our ever-increasingly full satisfaction in him along with Jesus Christ (Rom 8.32). The mission of the Father employed and accomplished is a constant celebration of his adopted children.

[1] Bruce Ware, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance, (Crossway, 2005, 46-51). I add, “in rank” to keep a clause in the statement that points to functional role and not divine essence where the Father, Son, and Spirit are equal.

[2] For the meaning of kephale (“head”) in the Koine Greek see Wayne Grudem in “Appendix 1: The Meaning of Kephale” in Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism ed. by John Piper and Wayne Grudem, (Crossway, 1991), 425-68.

[3] Bruce Ware, Father, Son, and Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance, (Crossway, 2005), 95-6.

What is the Gospel?

2010-06-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

What is the Gospel? from Southern Seminary on Vimeo.

Community picnic this Sunday!

2010-06-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

All Angelenos are invited to Shatto Rec Center for a picnic this Sunday, June 6, 2010, from 1-4pm. Free sandwiches, snacks, and hanging out with peeps. Bring a friend!

Fighter Verse to be led by the Spirit

2010-05-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

Week 21 - Matthew 5:47-48 - To recite May 30

”And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

To see the list of all fighter verses for 2010, click here - http://hopeingod.org/sites/default/files/documents/Fighter%20Verse%20Set%20E_1.pdf

What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit - Jensen and Piper disagree, and my middle way

2010-05-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

We'll be thinking about this issue in part on Sunday at our Sunday gathering. Here's one view that I think is right:

Ask Phillip - What does 'baptised by the Spirit' mean? from Audio Advice on Vimeo.

John Piper has another view which is basically,

I have said that I do NOT think the essence is new birth or conversion or being united to the body of Christ. What then is it? And why do I not think it is the same as what Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 12:13?

I think the essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is when a person, who is already a believer, receives extraordinary spiritual power for Christ-exalting ministry.

I try to see Piper's point and I can agree that being baptized with the Holy Spirit by Jesus (Acts 1.5; 11.16) is different than being baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ's body (1 Cor 12.13). Here's how I try to put it together when wrestling with what Piper was saying:

My initial thoughts to Piper’s take is that he’s going between “essence” of Spirit baptism, or the “heart” of Spirit baptism, and he confuses that with “all” that Spirit baptism is. He argues that the “essence” and “heart” of Spirit baptism is receiving extraordinary power for ministry. He writes, “the essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is when a person, who is already a believer, receives extraordinary spiritual power for Christ-exalting ministry.” I think I can agree with that. My problem was with another statement he makes which he thinks is a necessary corollary, where I don’t. He states, “I used to just assume… that the baptism by the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:13 and the baptism with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 were the same.” So Piper is saying they are not the same. I want to argue that they are the same yet Paul is emphasizing one aspect of the gift package and Luke is emphasizing a different aspect of the same gift package.

So the gift is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12.13). And Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit for power to be his witnesses (Acts 1.4-8). Now I see this as the same gift in a way that Piper does not. Piper sees the core of baptism with the Spirit (in Acts) as the bestowing of extraordinary power for Christ-exalting ministry. He sees the core of baptism by the Spirit as conversion, union with Christ, and regeneration. I think that they are united and inseparable in the experience of New Covenant believers after Acts 19.6. I think Piper fails to take into account the transition from Old Covenant to New Covenant in the life and experience of the apostles (Acts 1-2), Samaritans (Acts 8), Gentiles (Acts 10), and disciples of John (Acts 19). So I’d see that when one is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body (1 Cor 12.13), which entails regeneration, conversion, and union with Christ, they are at the same time baptized by Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit who now indwells and empowers them with extraordinary power for Christ-exalting ministry. So I could agree with Piper’s distinction between the two. I disagree that they are separate as the normal pattern in the lives of new covenant believers ever since the incident in Acts 19.6.

The implication for today is that Christians are not only regenerated, united to Christ, converted, and part of the people of God. From Acts the emphasis for today is that Christians have power, extraordinary power for Christ-exalting ministry and this power can be honed and increased by growth in following the Spirit (Romans 8.14; Galatians 5.18, 25), submitting to the Spirit (Galatians 5.17), being filled by the Spirit (Ephesians 5.18), and setting one's mind on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8.5). So I'd say, yes, Christians have received extraordinary power and need to grow in receiving, channeling, and wielding that great force for the purpose God gave it, namely to be Christ's witnesses in the world.

When is it right to leave a church?

2010-05-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

Phillip Jensen asks Mark Dever - When is it ever right to leave a church? from Audio Advice on Vimeo.

Reflection/Application Questions for Mark 9.30-50

2010-05-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

1. What struck you from Jesus’ words in Mark 9.30-50? Why do those words strike you?

2. What’s wrong with wanting to be the greatest? What’s right about wanting to be great and first?

3. What does being first really look like according to Jesus? How is true greatness expressed? (see vv. 35-37)

4. What opportunities do you have in your neighborhood, at work, school, or with the church to grow in greatness the way Jesus defines it? Be specific. And then write out how you plan on seizing one or two of those opportunities.

5. Who are our allies as followers of Jesus Christ? What is the standard to judge who is on your side (vv. 40-41)? How can you express this week your partnership with other allies that you haven’t expressed in a while.

6. What are two reasons to take drastic action in your life (see vv. 42 and 43, 45, 47)? What does Jesus tell you to do if these things happen?

7. What are some sins in your life, the church’s life, or ways we cause others to sin that we need to battle against and destroy? Be specific here and fight vagueness or rushing.

8. What drastic actions do you think Jesus is calling you to do with fighting these things? Who will you partner with and share so that you drastically fight sin in your life and in our church? When will you tell them?

Reflection/Application Questions on Mark 9.14-29

2010-05-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

These questions are provided for your further study and meditation of today’s message. Thoughtfully writing out answers to these questions will help you to reflect on the point of today’s message. It is also helpful to discuss your answers with others. This can take place with friends, your family, accountability partners, or mission small groups (MSGs) of CrossView Church. For MSG meetings ask someone about it at lunch. You can also email info@crossviewchurchla.org or call 213-908-5173.

1. What did you learn about Jesus from this text? What are some reasons to love him afresh and love him more this week from this passage?

2. If Jesus’ words are that powerful, what should you do with the Bible? What’s one possible change that will help you benefit from the Bible more in your life?

3. What is the faith-growth spiral? How can you grow in faith according to this passage?

4. What are some things you’ve heard from God that you should be trusting right now in the situations you’re currently in?

5. What should you be praying for? How will you know when God answers? Share your prayer requests with another church member so that you both can be strengthened by God’s answer to prayer.

6. What prayers have God answered lately that should have strengthened your faith? Share that with another church member through conversation or email this week to bless them.

7. Are you scared to admit your spiritual weakness and lack of faith? How does this story encourage us who are little in faith and spiritually weak?

To see PJ's reflections and applications go here.

Check for the audio/video recording of the message and the sermon summary at our church website and/or blog or email pj@crossviewchurchla.org.

Hip Hop album with Marky Mark Dever and 9Marks ministry...

2010-05-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

The Church // Promo 1 from The Lamp Lounge on Vimeo.

I learned so much about the church from these brothers and my former pastor. If Marky Mark Dever spits a verse on a track I'm buying the album for each church member.

Mark 9.2-13 Full Sermon Video

2010-05-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

Mark 9.2-13 Sermon at CrossView Church 5/2/10 from CrossView Church on Vimeo.

Main points from the story of how to continually respond to Jesus' glory revealed:

1. Jesus reveals his glory so see his glory (vv. 2-6)
2. Jesus speaks for God so listen to Jesus (vv. 7-8)
3. Jesus demands silence and speaking so understand who he is then speak carefully and assertively about him (v. 9)
4. Jesus fulfills the Hebrew prophecies concerning the Messiah so trust him that he is the Messiah of God (vv. 10-13)

Related resources:
- the text of Mark 9.2-13 (ESV) (you can read or hear it here)
- Sermon story and summary video
- Sermon meditation questions
- Sermon audio (to be posted soon)

Mark 9.2-13 Meditation Questions

2010-05-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

These questions are provided for your further study and meditation of today’s message. Thoughtfully writing out answers to these questions will help you to reflect on the point of today’s message. It is also helpful to discuss your answers with others. This can take place with friends, your family, accountability partners, or mission small groups(MSGs) of CrossView Church. For MSG meetings ask someone about it at lunch. You can also email info@crossviewchurchla.org or call 213-908-5173.

1. What makes Jesus so special? Who is Jesus according to the clues given in his transformation and this story?

2. When seeing Jesus’ glory, what’s the main thing God wants people to do according to verse 7? Why do you think that’s the main response God wants from us (the more reasons you think of or reflect on, the deeper you’ll understand the nature of Christian growth and communion with God)?

3. What are some ways we listen to Jesus today? What ways do you take advantage of daily?

4. What are some ways you could and should listen to Jesus with others? How are you listening to Jesus with others and not just by yourself?

5. What advantage is there in listening to Jesus with others as opposed to by yourself?

6. Read some verses from Psalm 119 and reflect on how important the Bible is in a believer’s life.

7. What are some ways you can maximize your listening to preaching?

8. Why should you understand Jesus’ death and resurrection, and what that means (vv. 9-10), before speaking about Jesus? Who can you start asking God to give you a chance to explain Jesus’ death and resurrection to? Share it with a fellow church member so more people are asking God to give you opportunities.

9. How does this passage help you pray better of fellow church members, other Christians, and other local churches?

Click the following for:
- the text of Mark 9.2-13 (ESV) (you can read or hear it here)
- Sermon story and summary video
- Sermon video
- Sermon audio (to be posted soon)

Mark 9.2-13 story and summary

2010-05-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

Mark 9.2-13 Story and Summary from CrossView Church on Vimeo.