BookPastor >> "Preaching the Whole Counsel of God" (Julius Kim)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Feb 12th, 2016.

conrade

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TITLE: Preaching the Whole Counsel of God: Design and Deliver Gospel-Centered Sermons
AUTHOR: Julius J. Kim
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015, (240 pages).

There are lots of preaching going on every week everywhere. Due to the many different theories and philosophies surrounding the ministry of preaching, very often, it is not easy to distinguish what is true preaching of the whole counsel of God. Some expound the Bible well but fail to connect with contemporary relevance. Others connect so well that they fail to emphasize the relevance of the gospel to life. Some believe that content is everything while others insist on the method of delivery. Not only that, preaching is also about the audience. Do we preach until it hurts or do we maintain a level of feel-good healing posture? This book is important for the simple fact that good preaching means reestablishing a renewed confidence in the Word of God for all of life. The basic question in this book is this: What constitutes the whole counsel of God?

As far as author Julius Kim is concerned, there are four parts to this. Preaching must begin with the author's discovery of the truth; progressing to discerning the truth; designing the message; and finally delivering the text.

1. The herald must discover the truth of the text according to the human author.
2. The herald must discern Christ in the text according to the Divine Author.
3. The herald must design a sermon that is true, good, and beautiful.
4. The herald must deliver the sermon for attention, retention, integration, and transformation.

Ten Fresh KidMin Research Findings

In 2014, the Awana International organization decided to do a survey of hundreds of children's ministry leaders and workers to find out about the reasons why they are in the children's ministry in the first place; what impact they see; what it takes to minister; what matters most; and so on. The results are summarized in this book entitled, "The Gospel Truth about Children's Ministry." You can read an excerpt here. Here is a list of ten key findings. If you purchase the book, you will find supporting data and tips for how to go about following up with them.

1. Whatever You Do, Remember It’s Still All About the Word of God. (Bible)
2. Lifelong Discipleship Is the Outcome for Which We’re Looking. (Discipleship)
3. The Starting Point in Discipleship Is the Gospel: Leading Kids to Know Christ. (Gospel)
4. Emphasis on Evangelism and the Centrality of the Bible Is How We Make Lifelong Disciples. (Evangelism)
5. It Really Does Take a Village: Discipleship Is Relational and Engages the Family. (Community / Church)
6. We’re Struggling to Develop Kids Who Can Navigate Culture and Live Out a Gospel-Centered Faith. (Culture Engagement)
7. Children’s Ministry Leaders Are Afraid We May Have Sacrificed Substance for Fun and Entertainment. (Fundamentals First)
8. We Need a Program That Can Meet Digital Natives Where They Are. (Technology)
9. We Need Flexibility So We Can Customize to Our Purpose and Needs. (Adaptable)
10. Children’s Ministry Leaders Are Ready to Change If Curriculum Providers Can Provide Them With the Right Resource to Help. (Support Resources)

Some quotes from the book:

• “The objective of any children’s ministry should be to equip children with the tools they will need for life to grow as a disciple, defend their faith effectively, and make other disciples along their journey.”
•  “Helping workers understand that the goal is evangelism and discipleship and relationships with families – that we aren’t just running programs so kids will be busy at church.”
• "Many fear that in the overwhelming busyness of running a children’s ministry program, we may have lost sight of the priority — making disciples of kids, parents, and leaders." 
• ...

This is a good resource to use in knowing the changing and challenging environment we are in.

c

Thank You Project - Story of Kellie Haddock's Attempt to Give Thanks

This is a powerful short film and testimony about how gratitude can bring out the best of people. Kellie Haddock reflects back on the joys and tragedies of her life and decides to do the one thing that is within her means. She gave thanks.



One of the most touching moments is when a woman helper shared that she had never been thanked before. It tells us that giving thanks is not simply something that needs to be done, it must be done more often.

This posting from her says it all.

"There is so much heartache in our world right now; so much brokenness. Let us be people of love who share love everywhere we go. #loveneverfails #weartruth This bracelet and other styles available here http://kellies-music-store.myshopify.com/"

c

Midweek Meditation: First Ten Martyrs in History (Foxes Book of Martyrs)

Here is a list of the first ten martyrs of the Christian faith. With Jesus as the first martyr in history, the rest of the disciples were subsequently martyred. Based on the Foxes's Book of Martyrs, here is a summarized table of the first ten martyrs.

NAME OF MARTYR	HOW THEY DIED
Stephen	Stoned by mob after his bold declaration of the gospel.
James the Great	Beheaded around AD 44. His accuser was so moved by the bravery and conviction that he repented, confessed Christ, and was subsequently martyred together with James.
Philip	Scourged, thrown into prison, and was crucified in AD 54.
Matthew	Slain with a halberd in Nadabah in AD 60.
James the Less	At the age of 94, he was beaten and stoned by the Jews, and his brains smashed with a club.
Matthias	Stoned in Jerusalem and beheaded.
Andrew, brother of Peter	Preached the gospel to many places in Asia. Upon his arrival at Edesa, he was crucified.
Mark	Dragged to pieces by the people at Alexandria.
Peter	Asked to be crucified upside down as he felt unworthy to be crucified like Christ.
Paul the Apostle	Slain by soldiers of Nero.

You can download the Foxes Book of Martyrs for free here or here.

c

BookPastor >> "Daily Readings from The Christian in Complete Armour"

This review was first published on Feb 8th, 2016 at Panorama of a Book Saint.

conrade

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TITLE: Daily Readings from The Christian in Complete Armour: Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare
AUTHOR: William Gurnall
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1994, (384 pages).

The book, "The Christian in Complete Armour" is widely considered a classic when it was first published in the 17th Century. It was published in three volumes (1655, 1658, and 1662) by William Gurnall, a Puritan and English clergyman.  Widely considered as one of the best Christian books published in the English language, it can be obtained for free here. As the title suggests, this book is basically a treatise about the saints of God warring against the devil. John Newton calls this book the second book to be read besides the Bible. Charles Spurgeon even said that "every line is full of wisdom; every sentence is suggestive." While the original came in three separate volumes, James S. Bell Jr. has chosen selected portions to be used in this 365-days devotional.

It is a book written to encourage spiritual growth. One reason why some believers fail to grow is because of their lack of awareness about the reality of spiritual warfare. It is one thing to profess one's belief but yet another to proclaim of God boldly and without reservation. Like the call to courage, before he talks about being bold, he points out the need to be bold on our inside first. If we prefer the "bondage of Egypt," how can we learn to claim the promise of God? We are reminded of what it means to be a child of God. As children of the King, surely there is not simply the promise of an inheritance in heaven but a vigour in living on earth. We serve God not like spiritual wimps but gallant soldiers in Christ. Our true strength is in God and that comes forth as a counter to humanism. If we do not check that, we would be trusting in our own strength rather than God's. Gurnall's volumes began with a quote from Ephesians 6:10-20 that sets the tone of his books. Unlike Gurnall's originals, this particular daily readings are not primed at exposition of the armour of God but as short "soul-searching reflections" of God's power on the individual believer.

Hymn: Sent Forth By God's Blessings (Ash Grove)

This is one of my favourite songs to end any Sunday service. (Video)
[Sing to the tune of Ash Grove]


Lyrics
Sent forth by God's blessing,
our true faith confessing,
The people of God from his dwelling take leave.
God's sacrifice ended,
O now be extended.
The fruits of this Mass in all hearts who believe.

The seed of his teaching our inner souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
His grace incite us, his love shall unite us
To further God's kingdom and answer his call.

With praise and thanksgiving,
to God who is living,
The tasks of our ev'ryday life we embrace.
Our faith ever sharing,
in love ever caring,
We claim as our neighbour all those of each race.

One bread that has fed us,
one light that has led us
Unite us as one in his life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanks giving
Give honour to Christ and his name that we bear.

c

Midweek Meditation: First Century Wisdom (Clement of Rome)

Clement of Rome (1st Century Bishop of Rome)

On Peace
"O God, make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace."

On the Love of Christ:
"Out of love our Lord took us to himself; because he loved us and it was God's will, our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life blood for us - he gave his body for our body, his soul for our soul."

On the World
"We must look on all things of this world as none of ours, and not desire them. This world and that to come are enemies. We cannot therefore be friends to both, but must resolve which to forsake and which to enjoy."

On Praises
"We should let God be the One to praise us and not praise ourselves. For God detests those who commend themselves. Let others applaud our good deeds. "