California: The Missionary Frontier

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me."

As I'm sure many of you may have heard, the largest research study on Religion in America was released last week by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (you can see it for yourself @ http://www.pewforum.org/).

Not surprisingly, the results show that California is extraordinarily diverse. Only 23% of those surveyed in the Golden State said that there religion is "the one true faith leading to God." The rest weren't sure, didn't care, or overwhelmingly believed that many ways could lead to God. Only 33% of Californians attend church once a week. And 34% of those surveyed believe that there Scriptures are just words written by men, not God's word.

There can be no doubt that we in California (and in the U.S. for that matter) are living in a culture that needs to be seen and treated as a Mission field. The mission field is not "over there" somewhere. It's right in your own backyard. So the question is, "What are you going to do about it?"

For an example: See Acts 17

Doctrine of Vocation

One of my favorite shows to watch on a lazy Saturday is "Dirty Jobs." Essentially the idea of the show is to show this guy working in, well, the dirtiest jobs. The show is a great reminder to me of the doctrine of vocation.

Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

"...The work of a Beethoven, and the work of a charwoman, become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God, of being done humbly "as to the Lord." This does not, of course, mean that it is for anyone a mere toss-up whether he should sweep rooms or compose symphonies. A mole must dig to the glory of God and a cock must crow..."

C.S Lewis, Weight of Glory

Here is the point: Sometimes we Evangelicals spiritualize what it means to be "called." As a result we end up thinking that only a select few are "called" while the rest of us just go to work. THIS THINKING IS ABSOLUTELY UNBIBLICAL! Every single one of us, as long as our work is not in direct disobedience to God's word, have been called.

Actually most of us have many different callings in life at any one time. For example: I am called to be a godly husband, called to be a godly father, called to be a godly citizen, called to be a godly Pastor. You may be called to be a godly mother, a godly driver, a godly sister, and a godly wife. Right now Christian, whoever you are, wherever you are, you are called. So live to the glory of God in whatever you're called to do. If you'd like to read more on this subject there is a great article by Gene Edward Veith on Luther's doctrine of vocation:

http://www.modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var1=ArtRead&var2=881&var3=main

For a great movie that illustrates this idea of calling, check out the movie, "Chariots of Fire"

Quote from Eric Liddell (the runner in the movie): "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."

The Religious Right's Waning Power?

There is an interesting article in "Macleans" magazine today about the decline of the "Religious Right." I'm not sure that I agree, but I definitely think there is a political shift happening...

http://www.macleans.ca/world/usa/article.jsp?content=20080625_118623_118623

Be interested to hear what y'all think. Does this really matter?

For at least a partial answer to this question I would refer you to Romans 13

Yes, It's Real!

I suppose it was only a matter of time...

http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSL256586320080625?feedType=RSS&feedName=scienceNews&rpc=22&sp=true

This article explains how the "enlightened" West has just extended human rights to apes. This actually is quite a logical step to take if one holds to a naturalistic world view.

For more information on what this thinking is called I refer you to Romans 1:18-32.

Kinda Funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=102kvQ1dWoY

White Horse Inn Basic Doctrine Quiz

I took this quiz a few years ago while listening to the radio program "The White Horse Inn." I really enjoyed it; I hope y'all do too. All the questions are True/False

Disclaimer: How one does on this quiz does not determine your standing with God. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection takes care of that. However, if you find that you don't do so well, it may just be a good reminder that God has given you a gift called the Bible.

The White Horse Inn Basic Doctrine Quiz

Questions About God and Christ (Answer True or False)

1. Jesus was God, but only appeared to be human.
2. Jesus was the first of all God’s created beings.
3. Jesus had a human body and divine soul.
4. In the Old Testament, God was known as the Father, in the New Testament, as the Son, and after Pentecost, as the Holy Spirit.
5. Mary is the mother of God.
6. God chooses people because he knows in advance they will choose him.

Questions About Salvation (Answer True or False)

7. The only way we can be saved is by the perfect conformity to the law of God.
8. We are saved by grace after all that we can do.
9. I am saved because of my decision to accept Christ.
10. God is so sovereign, he can change his mind.
11. The Bible teaches that there is an age of accountability, and that children who die before this age go to heaven because they are innocent.
12. If I die with unconfessed sin, I will not go to heaven.
13. The main motivation for holiness is fear of punishment and hope of reward.
14. God cannot hold someone guilty for the sins of another.
15. Justification is the process by which a person, through faith in Christ and sorrow for his sins, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and so becomes a child of God.
16. God cannot require of us anything which cannot be performed.
17. True Christians believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible.
18. God helps those who help themselves is a biblically sound principle.
19. Though no one is perfect, the Lord looks on the heart to see who really loves him.

Answers:

1.F 2.F 3.F 4.F 5.F 6.F 7.T (Yes this is a bit of a trick question, but technically speaking it is because of Christ's perfect obedience that He can be our substitute.) 8.F 9.F 10.F 11.F 12.F 13.F 14.F 15.F 16.F 17.F 18.F 19.F

If anyone has any questions about the answers or the Scriptural basis for each answer, I will happily respond in the "comments" section.

Anybody Relate?

Luther on Baptism

How can water do such great things?--Answer.

It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.

God the Gift Giver

Today is Confirmation Sunday at Victoria. Thirteen students will be reciting what they've learned from the Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, the Books of the Bible, and the Apostles Creed (not to mention what they learned about the Sacraments). The truth is, most of these kids after having gone through even one year of Catechism are more equipped with the Word of God than most adults. It is truly praiseworthy to see God take hold of these kids through the power of His Word.

Oh yeah, today at Victoria we also are privilaged to have a Baptism. Today is an abundant example of God's grace toward us!

Jude's Birthday

Today is my son Jude's 3rd birthday. John's birthday is on July 7th. It is truly a blessing to be their Dad. Thank you Lord!

A Recent Sermon

Since there may be some of you that have never been to Victoria Community Church, I figured I would link up for you a recent sermon. Here it is:

http://victoriacc.org/m/The_Blessed_Life.mp3

The Sermon is based on Luke 6 from the Sermon on the Plain. Enjoy!