Q&A#13C: Commandments 5-7

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#13C
Q: What do the fifth, sixth, and seventh commandments teach us?
A: The fifth, sixth, and seventh commandments teach us to love God and people by honoring our parents, human life, and marriage.

Honor your father and mother….
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
– Exodus 20:12a, 13-14 (ESV)

For Further Reflection
Ephesians 6:1-4, I John 3:15, Matthew 5:21-32

Our Response
Honor all God-given authority.
Treat people as image-bearers of God.
Respect the marriage relationship.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

10 Things You Should Know about the Presence of God – J. Ryan Lister (Crossway)
The church has two clear purposes: 1) the church works within itself for the sanctification of its members to prepare God’s people for God’s present and future presence; and 2) the church works externally to share the gospel so that the lost may enjoy God’s presence now and forever as well.

Masters of Self: Cultivating Gentleness in an Age of Outrage – Scott Swain (DG)
When the vice of anger is the spiritual diagnosis, Holy Scripture prescribes the virtue of gentleness or meekness as the spiritual medicine. Gentleness is the spiritual virtue that tempers or moderates the desire for vengeance we experience when we suffer or witness injustice. According to Protestant moral theologian Niels Hemmingsen, gentleness is “the virtue by which minds that have been rashly stirred up toward hatred of someone are restrained by kindness.”

Six Marks of Maturity to Look for in Your Life – Colin Marshall (SA)
So, who are the really mature Christians in your church? What’s the grid that we use to measure maturity?

One of the Church’s Greatest Needs – R. Kent Hughes (Crossway)
The church cannot prosper with deception among its members—and God wanted to make this clear for all time. Deception wounds the body of Christ—makes it dysfunctional—and is a sin against God! This is why Peter cried to Ananias at the moment of his death, “You have not lied to man but to God” (Acts 5:4).

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping the Lord with your local church!

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Black Canyon in Colorado

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

Our Bodies

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

EarthenVesselsThe psalmist tells us we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” We were knit together in our mother’s womb by the delicate hands of God. Our bodies are not amorphous lumps that we shape and sculpt into our own self-image – they are diving gifts, given to us by God himself.

– Matthew Lee Anderson in Earthen Vessels

Q&A#13B: Commandments 3-4

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#13B
Q: What do the third and fourth commandments teach us?
A: The third and fourth commandments teach us to love God by honoring Him in the way we use His name and His time.

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain….  Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. – Exodus 20:7a & 8 (ESV)

For Further Reflection
Exodus 20:7-11, Mark 2:27

Our Response
Honor God’s name with our words and our lives.
Enjoy a day to rest and worship.

Rest Reflection

On By BrianIn Rest Reflections

HowShouldIManageThere is a time for work and there is a time for rest and recreation. We can dishonor God by working without rest or exercise just as much as we can by resting and exercising without working. The key to learning how to redeem the time is learning how to hold every activity of life in proper proportion, to know what is appropriate for what occasion, and to do it all to the glory of the triune God. 

– Ryan McGraw in How Should I Manage Time?

In His Presence

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

How_Should_We_Consider_Christ_in_Affliction_cover__31187.1529607587To be in His presence is everything you could desire, everything you could hope for.  This is the apex. This is heaven’s heaven – to be with Christ, to be His bride, to be in perfect communion with Him, to enjoy knowing Him and seeing Him and loving Him and praising Him and communing with Him uninterrupted – forever basking in His smile and bathing in His glory and feasting in His presence…

– Joel Beeke in How Should We Consider Christ in Affliction?

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

The topic of burial versus cremation came up in my sermon last Sunday.  Here are some good posts to help you think through the choice:

The FAQs: What Christians Should Know About Cremation – Joe Carter (TGC)

To Bury or to Burn? Cremation in Christian Perspective – David Jones (TGC)

What Should Christians Think about Cremation? – Richard Phillips (ref21)

A Biblical Theology of Burial – Nick Batzig (TCC)

Should Christians Cremate Their Loved Ones? A Modest Proposal – John Piper (DG)

No Cremation — But Should I Gift My Body to Science? – John Piper (DG)