The Essentials to Keep You Going

Jerry Bridges was in Singapore for a few weeks in Aug and Sep 2008. We were privileged to hear him speak and to learn from him. Besides his talks, "The Chase - Pursuing Holiness in your Everyday Life" and "Respectable Sins", he also spoke at the Navigators, Singapore, Staff Retreat. He spoke on "The Essentials to Keep You Going".

In summary, the four essentials he described were:
1. Spending Devotional Time with the Lord;
2. Preaching the Gospel to yourself Daily;
3. Presenting your Body as a Living Sacrifice; and
4. Daily Reaffirming your Belief in the Sovereignty and Goodness of God.

You can read the article from the Navigators, Singapore here; and you can download the MP3 here. (Right click "save link as" to download the MP3)


Ollie
Sep 2008

God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Evangelism

How do we reconcile the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, especially in the area of Evangelism and Missions? Blogger Tim Challies has written an excellent post on Calvinism and Evangelism which puts forth a biblical thinking on this matter; you can read it here.

(HT: Tim Challies)


Ollie
Sep 2008

Reflections and Musings from my Trip to Southern Seminary and Capitol Hill Baptist Church

It has been barely a week since my return from a visit to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and to Capitol Hill Baptist Church in the United States. Even now, the impact of this trip continues to reverberate as I process my thoughts and reflect on how God has taught me many valuable lessons on this trip.

I count it my distinct privilege to be able to visit Southern Seminary; this visit almost did not occur as the Seminary had been closed for the week due to a massive city-wide power blackout caused by heavy winds from the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. The power was restored to the Legacy Centre where I stayed and the Seminary that very afternoon I was due to arrive. I had a wonderful Wednesday at Southern Seminary - I was given the grand tour of the Seminary by Toby Jennings; I met some faculty, namely Dr Hal Pettigrew, Dr Tom Schreiner, and Dr Bruce Ware. I also had the joy of meeting some students - Terry Delaney and Kevin McFadden, for conversations and mutual encouragement.

I made a number of observations of which these three made the deepest impact. Firstly, there was a sense of humility and expectancy. Both staff and students strongly believed that God's Sovereign Hand was on Southern Seminary and it was not due in any part to their own ingenuity. Southern Seminary, to their knowledge, is the only institution of higher learning in America, that had turned from liberal to conservative, reclaiming the belief in the inerrancy and authority of God's Word. And they believe God is going to do greater things in their midst. Secondly, there is a deep commitment to the local church - the faculty are either Pastors or Elders of local churches or otherwise involved in ministries to local churches. Students too are actively involved with the local congregations. And thirdly, the staff and faculty are passionately involved in the transmitting of the Gospel into the next generation; they are fully aware of their own alloted years, and are concerned that the baton of the Gospel be passed into the subsequent generation.

There were other things learnt; but even as I was processing and praying through, I had to leave for Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC the following day, to join my mentor - Elder Yap Kim Meng and my pastor Bobby Lee for the 9Marks Weekender.

Unknown to me, I was in for another intense period of re-learning and thinking at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC). Preconceptions were shaken and repentance required as I was immersed in the experience at CHBC and its 9Marks Ministry. Dr Mark Dever and his team seeks to grow biblical healthy churches; and as part of their ministry CHBC opens its doors 2 - 3 times a year to a group of 50 plus pastors, church leaders and seminarians to observe first hand their example of "doing church". They are certainly not perfect but they do take church seriously. I was, as Caleb said, smitten by the whole experience. First Southern Seminary and now CHBC - both exemplifying high commitment to the cause of Christ.

There are far too many observations made and lessons learnt at CHBC to be fully captured; those listed below are my attempts to capture a snapshot of the essentials. Firstly, all that they do is motivated by the Gospel, i.e. they are responding in humble gratitude to how Christ came to live and die for us, that by His death, our sins are removed and righteous credited if we by faith believe into Jesus. God's wrath against us has been averted, our relationship with God restored and we have been redeemed to inherit a full and eternal life. All of their ministry stemmed from this essential truth of God's grace.

Secondly, they have a high view of God's word and they take it seriously. From Church Membership and Leadership to Church Discipline to the Church Service. The word of God is central. They sought to trust and obey God's word. At their church service, all the worship proceedings were solidly Word based - from emphasis on reading scriptures to hymns with biblical contents to the sermon - all seeking to declare God's Word.

Thirdly, quoting Mark Dever and Matt Schmucker, they do what they do for the generations yet to come. They, like the faculty at Southern Seminary, are deeply moved to transmit the Gospel into the next generation and to disciple others who will do the same. This goal motivates their internship programme and the ministry of 9Marks which seek to equip pastors and leaders.

Fourthly, the leaders, namely the Staff and Elders exhibit a deep love for the members of the church. This was clearly exemplified by the Elders spending two hours in prayer for individual members from part of their membership rolls. Also each Elder, both Staff and Lay, showed a intimate knowledge and care for the members - they knew all their names, their struggles and where they were in their spiritual growth. The interactions during the service clearly demonstrated the mutual love between the leaders and members.

Lastly, there was a sacrificial commitment to the local body at CHBC by both the leaders and members. Members commit to pray through the membership rolls each week, and to attend two services on Sunday - the main service at 10.30 am, seating through an hour sermon and a service that stretches for two to two and half hours; and yet coming back Sunday evening for a prayer and fellowship service at 6 pm. The Staff Elders open up their homes for the members for fellowship and some of the Lay Elders take up employment that either free up time for church commitments or give flexibility to do so.

All these left a indelible and deep impression of how seriously they "do church". CHBC and 9Marks believe that the main purpose of a church is to image God; and that a healthy church image God well to the world and this not only promotes evangelism but also glorify God. All that they do, as described above, worked to this end.

This experience led me to repent. True, CHBC is not perfect, however, they trust and believe in the bible, and they sought to live it out. I must admit, that while I had read about the New Testament Church in Acts, deep down inside, I thought that it was a high ideal, not actually achievable this side of heaven. The visit to CHBC has taught me otherwise. Yes, while perfection is not likely this side of heaven, but we are called to trust and obey, and to a life of radical commitment - a large part of which is to the local body of Christ which we have been called to.

You can also read Caleb's reflections of the 9Marks Weekender here as well.

(HT: Caleb Yap)


Ollie
Sep 2008

What Are The Non-Negotiables For The Gospel?

What are the Non-negotiables for the Gospel? Ligon Duncan elaborates on the essentials for a proper biblical understanding of the Gospel.


What Are The Non-Negotiables For The Gospel? - Ligon Duncan



Ollie
Sep 2008

What is the Gospel?

Definition of the Gospel from two of my favourite pastors/theologians - Mark Dever and John Piper. For those of us unclear of what the Gospel is, listen and understand - the Gospel is central to our Faith, Practice and Life. Knowing what the Gospel is, we then, quoting Jerry Bridges, have to preach the Gospel to ourselves daily, thereby growing in holiness, having the Character of Christ formed in us. We would than also be fruitful for God's Kingdom; pleasing God and delighting in Jesus.



What is the Gospel? - Mark Dever




What is the Gospel? - John Piper






Ollie
Sep 2008

Southern Seminary!

It was a distinct privilege for me to visit Southern Seminary on 19 Sep (Wed). I met with a number of students, staff and faculty - Toby Jennings from the admission office bought me on an informative tour of the campus; Terry Delaney (from Said at Southern) met with me for Christ, Coffee and Conversations; Kevin McFadden bought me to his church - Clifton Baptist Church for dinner and a prayer meeting. I even had the joy of meeting up with Dr. Pettigrew on campus and Dr Bruce Ware and Dr Tom Schreiner at a prayer meeting at Clifton Baptist Church.

A number of recurring themes emerged from the conversations. First and foremost, there was a strong conviction of God's sovereign hand on Southern Seminary and a sense of expectancy that God would continue His work at and through Southern. This was conveyed with perceptible humility and awe. In addition, the faculty were both academicians and practitioners, with a number either supporting the local church as pastors or Elders or involved in ministries that support the local churches - they would bring an integrated praxis of knowledge and practice to the classroom. Lastly, the students all mentioned the good interaction between the faculty and student; and that the faculty aim to pass the baton of Gospel work into the next generation of Christian leaders. All this convinced me that if I would to attend a seminary, that seminary would be Southern.


Ollie
Sep 2008

Off to Southern Seminary and Capitol Hill Baptist Church

It's finally here.

I've been looking forward to this trip for the past three months. I shall be in the US from 16 to 25 Sep 2008 (Singapore Time). I'll be at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 16 to 18 Sep 2008 (US Time). I hope to visit and experience what life at Southern Seminary is like and to also meet some new friends. I would also submit my application, and God wiling, enroll into Southern Seminary in Jan 2009.

From 18 Sep to 22 Sep 2008 (US Time), I will proceed to Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) (Mark Dever's Church) to attend the 9Marks Weekender. I hope to learn much - especially about growing healthy Gospel-centred churches, and also to enquire about the possibility of interning at CHBC perhaps in Jan 2010. Also, I just heard Caleb will be joining us over the weekend; I'm glad to be able to catch up with my young friend in Christ again.

Friends, keep me in prayer. I'll try to update when I'm over in the US.


Ollie
Sep 2008

"Respectable Sins"

I had the distinct privilege of attending a talk by Jerry Bridges last Friday (12 Sep) at St. John's St. Margaret Church. Jerry Bridges spoke about "Respectable Sin" - the sins we tolerate in our lives. His main text was from Galatians 5:19-21.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)


I was again convicted when Jerry spoke. He was simple without being simplistic and his message was refreshing and straight out of God's word, going right into the heart. The outline of his talk is as follows:


I. The Denial of Sin in Society

There is an increasing failure in our culture to call sin "sin". We now live in a culture that deny the existence of sin. Politicians when caught in sexual immorality calls it a "mistake"; Sport stars call it a “moment of weakness".


II. The Denial of Sin in the Church

We Christians condemn the flagrant sins of society while ignoring our own "respectable sins”. In Galatians, the list of sins intermix flagrant and respectable sins. Ungodliness, anxiety, discontentment, not being thankful, pride, sins of the tongue etc., ALL are sin regardless of the severity.


III. The Meaning of Sin

The original meaning of sin is "missing the mark". It is not about making a mistake – we sin deliberately. Sin is also lawlessness (c.f. 1 John 3:4) or living outside the law; when we sin, we violate the law of God. Sin is also transgression or rebellion against authority (c.f. Leviticus 16:21). Even anger is sin.


IV. All Sin is Serious Sin

Sin is sinning against a holy sovereign God. In the “Sinfulness of Sin”, Ralph Venning describes sin as vile, ugly, odious, malignant, pestilent, pernicious, hideous, spiteful, poisonous, virulent, villainous, abominable and deadly. Jerry said that sin includes even gossip, pride, judgmental spirit etc. We tend to focus on flagrant sin out there; as a result is that for many morally upright believers, the awareness of personal sin has effectively disappeared from our consciences. Doing right for the wrong reasons or to look good in front of others, is sin.


V. The Root Cause of our Sin

The root cause of our sin is residual depravity -the remaining corruption of our nature called the “the sinful nature (NIV) or flesh”. We live in a tension between flesh and Spirit. However, remember that God is holy; and sin is sinful. We should not sugarcoat sin; sin is sin against a holy sovereign God.


VI. The Remedy for Sin… is the Gospel

The Gospel is:
Forgiveness of our sins – Christ death for us canceled our record of debt and its legal demand and nailed it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)
Credited Righteousness – Through faith in Christ, God credits Christ' righteousness to us (Philippians 3:9); our best deeds counted as rubbish (Philippians 3:8)
Power – Through Jesus, we can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)

Jerry goes on to say that the only sin you can deal with is forgiven sin; and you need to preach the Gospel to yourself everyday in order to pursue holiness and have victory over sin.


There was then a 20 minutes of Question and Answer; two of Jerry's answers stood out as particularly insightful and convicting.


VII. Q&A

1. Do we need to confess our sins?
All sins, be it past, present and future are forgiven through faith in Jesus and what he had done. This is the legal aspect. However, when we sin, this impacts the relationship aspect. God will discipline us when we sin; and He favours a contrite heart and a broken spirit. Therefore, we need to confess our sins to restore our relationship with God - we are to be the chief "repenter".

2. Respectable Sins also includes:
Judging others by our own convictions in areas not spelt out in scriptures (Romans 14:23); and violating our conscience. Our conscience is the voice of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14) that which you cannot do with a clear conscience is sin.

Jerry Bridges definition of the Gospel and the comment on "Preaching the Gospel to ourselves everyday" continues to resonate in my mind, as I seek in dependent discipline to do just that in my pursuit of holiness and following hard after Jesus.



Ollie
Sep 2008

Jerry Bridges to talk about Respectable Sins

“…those of us whom I call conservative evangelicals may have become so preoccupied with some of the major sins of society around us that we have lost sight of the need to deal with our own more ‘refined’ or subtle sins.” - Jerry Bridges


Jerry Bridges will be speaking this coming Friday on the topic of Respectable Sins. I highly commend this talk - go and listen and be challenged!

Details are:

Date:	Friday, September 12, 2008
Time:	7:30pm - 9:30pm
Location:	St John's St Margaret's Church
Street:	30 Dover Avenue, Singapore 139790

Admission is Free.

For more information, you can visit the Navigators Singapore website here.



Ollie
Sep 2008

Reflections on the Gospel

Daphne gave an insightful reflection on the Gospel in her blog post. In it, she reflected on why it is the pivot and foundation of the Christian Faith.

To read her insightful account, you can access Daph's blog here.

(HT: Daphne Tan)

I am encouraged by the vibrant faith of the young rising generation here in Singapore who are willing to think hard, are not afraid to take up the challenge of working through tough theological and philosophical issues, and to glorify God with their minds.


Ollie
Sep 2008

The Spirit of God present through the Word of God

A post by Terry at the Blog "Said at Southern" pointed me to the sermon by Dr David Platt. I read Terry's post and was struck by the sense of awe and conviction. I proceeded to download and listen to the sermon. In it, Dr Platt spent the the first half or more of his sermon just reciting Romans Chapter 1 - 8. I listened, awe-struck, as he spoke with conviction, deep passion and humility. It is true that not being present, I would not be able to capture nor understand the fullness of what happened. However, even then, I was silent and listened intently. It gave me a renewed conviction of the power of the pure word of God declared.

The MP3 can be found here. (Right click "save link as" to download the MP3).

The account by Terry Delaney of the chapel service in which Dr David Platt spoke can be access here.


(HT: Terry Delaney (Blog: Said at Southern))


Ollie
Sep 2008

Jerry Bridges Seminar: The Chase - Pursuing Holiness

I had the privilege of attending a seminar last Saturday (30 Aug 08) where Jerry Bridges spoke on the "Pursuit of Holiness" and the "Discipline of Grace". Author of nearly 30 books, Jerry has been on staff with the Navigators since 1955. This almost 80 year old Bible Teacher is still working in ministries for college students in the US. This is the second time Jerry has been to Singapore and during the seminar, he spoke to close to 550 people at True Way Presbyterian Church.

For the first talk, Jerry spoke on the "Pursuit of Holiness" with the main text being from Ephesians 4:17-5:5. He said the pursuit of holiness is in response to the Gospel, that we do so in grateful obedience; and that pursuit connoted concentration and diligent effort. In pursuing holiness, there is the concept of putting off and putting on - we are to put off sinful traits and to put on Christ-like Character. He went on to elaborate on specific applications in the areas of integrity, sexual purity and inter-personal relationships. The power to pursue holiness, he said, was given by the Holy Spirit, both to will and to work it out. Our part is to respond with dependent responsibility. In this expression, Jerry reconciled the tension between God's Sovereignty and Man's free-will. It is our responsibility to pursue holiness; but this is in dependent response to God's sovereignty and what He has already done for us through Christ.

He proceeded after a tea break to speak on the "Discipline of Grace" with the main text being from Titus 2:11-12. His definition of Grace is quintessentially Gospel-Centred - Grace is God's unmerited favour and blessings through Christ to people who deserved God's curse. This definition alone was well worth attending the seminar. Once we believed into Jesus, it is as if we never sinned; and as if we always obeyed i.e. though Christ life and death, God forgives our sins and counts us as righteous. He proceeded to elaborate that salvation in its fullness comprises justification, sanctification and glorification. And that in Titus 2:11-12, there is a two fold expression of grace in that through Christ, God declares us righteous and He proceeds to train us in holiness. God initiates and sustain the process of sanctification.

There was a time for Question and Answer and one of the questions asked was on how do we teach the next generation - young Christians, the pursuit of holiness? I sat up alert; this too was the thing that preoccupied most of thoughts and directed the work I do. Jerry replied that the first is to teach them the Gospel - this is the foundation. In doing so, they would then obey in gratitude in pursuing holiness; and secondly, that we are to pray, model and teach them - in that order.

A young friend I spoke to remarked after hearing Jerry speak, that he was simple without being simplistic and what he shared, cut straight to the heart, building convictions. That is the power of God's Word declared. I am inspired to dust off my old copy of the "Pursuit of Holiness" and re-read it again.


For more gleanings you can visit Caleb's blog here.

(HT: Caleb Yap)



Ollie
Sep 2008