The Web Site and Blog of Pastor Chris Brauns
Next Friday, I will give away two copies of Unpacking Forgiveness, and blog on the first two questions of the New Forgiveness Quiz.
The map on the right shows the location of participants thus far.
Don’t forget, at the end of the quiz, each week I will be giving away two copies of my book and on the final week, I will give away a free flip camera.
See also this post announcing the New Forgiveness Quiz and Goals for a New Forgiveness Quiz.
Moralism – - the idea that we merit God’s favor by being good – - is the deadly enemy of Christian parenting. Moralism trusts in its own goodness, virtue, and principled intentions to get a “not guilty” verdict from God on the day of judgment. It is deceptive. A cloak of morality over an unregenerate heart can make it difficult to discern the child’s true spiritual condition. William P. Farley, page 42, emphasis his.
Parents, I recommend this book! The Gospel-Powered Parenting: How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting
The imminently quotable G.K. Chesterton:
One can find no meanings in a jungle of skepticism; but the man will find more and more meanings who walks through a forest of doctrine and design. Here everything has a story tied to its tail, like the tools or pictures in my father’s house; for it is my father’s house. I end where I began—at the right end. I have entered at least the gate of all good philosophy. I have come into my second childhood.
Quoted by Michael Horton in his recommended Gospel-Driven Life, The: Being Good News People in a Bad News World.
“If you haven’t been exposed to Tim Keller yet, you’re missing out. He has quickly become one of my favorite authors and speakers. His church, Redeemer Presbyterian in Manhattan, has just released 150 free sermons and lectures from Keller’s last 20 years of ministry. Check it out. Here’s what they say:
Redeemer’s Sermon Ministry has been faithfully recording, cataloging and reproducing all of our sermons for the past 20 years. To celebrate all 20 years of our history, and to meet the growing demand for our church’s teaching in New York City and around the world, we have created this resource of 150 sermons and lectures covering a broad array of topics, completely free to download and share.
The recordings chosen for the Free Sermon Resource were culled from classic sermon series as well as lectures and seminar addresses delivered to various Redeemer ministry gatherings, and are intended to present to the listener the full scope of teachings they would receive over several years of active involvement at Redeemer.
Many other free Tim Keller resources here.”
I will be preaching on the Trinity in Romans this coming Lord’s Day.
In 325 Constantinople, modern day Instanbul, was seething with discussion. The buzz in the city was not about a sports team or about an election. People were talking about the doctrine of the Trinity. One church leader said, if in this city you ask someone for change, he will discuss with you whether God the Son is begotten or unbegotten. If you ask about the quality of the bread, you will receive the answer that ‘God the Father is greater, God the Son is less. . .”
So Constantine called a council of the Church in what is now modern day Turkey. When the Church leaders began to study the issues in a relatively short period of time they worked out the Nicean Creed and the doctrine of the Trinity. The debate was far from over. And, it continued over the years. But, because of Athanasius and other great leaders, the doctrine of the Trinity was summarized in a way that continues to serve the church now nearly 1700 years later.
So what is the doctrine of the Trinity? We can summarize it with two statements. (1) God is one in essence or being. (2) God is three persons.
Wayne Grudem wrote. “We may define the doctrine of the Trinity as follows: God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.”
The next time you hear some careless remark that the doctrine of the Trinity just developed out of political pressure, go out the web and google the phrase, “Nicene Creed.” Then time to read one of the greatest theological summaries in church history. It is a magnificent statement written in 325 that summarizes the bounds of what all Christians must believe about our Triune God.
We spotted a stray flake of snow a few days ago in the Valley. And, there is enough of a nip in the air, to make it acceptable to start Christmas shopping.
So, here is a gift idea: Gospel-Powered Parenting: How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting
I would especially commend it as a gift for fathers.
Looking back on these families and others like them, I notice the results have been mixed. Some children thrived. Their youthful faith blossomed in adulthood. They married well, and became stable, productive participants in their local churches.
Others did not fare so well. Many have completely abandoned their parents’ faith. Why? What went wrong? Why did some parents succeed and others fail? Was it a failure of technique? Most of the parents disciplined their children, some more than others. We all loved them.
The results appear to have nothing to do with where the child was educated. In my experience, there have been no qualitative differences in the spiritual output from home schools, Christian schools, or public schools.
The common denominator between success and failure seems to be spiritual depth and sincerity of the parents, especially the spiritual depth and sincerity of the father. There seems to be a strong correlation between the faith, commitment and sincerity of the family’s head and the spiritual vitality of his adult children. . .
In my experience, the most effective parents have a clear grasp of the cross and its implications for daily life. The implications are manifold. They include the fear of God, a marriage that preaches the gospel to its children, deeply ingrained humility, gratitude, joy, firmness coupled with affection, and consistent teaching modeled by parents daily. (pages 14-15)
Previously, I offered this one page overview of Unpacking Forgiveness.
Here is an alternative form (HT: Route 5:9) which I don’t endorse.
I do endorse Peacemakers the seven A’s!
As God opens your eyes to see how you have sinned against others, he simultaneously offers you a way to find freedom from your past wrongs. It is called confession. Many people have never experienced this freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally. Instead, they use words like these: "I’m sorry if I hurt you." "Let’s just forget the past." "I suppose I could have done a better job." "I guess it’s not all your fault." These token statements rarely trigger genuine forgiveness and reconciliation. If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs. One way to do this is to use the Seven A’s.
- Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)
- Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)
- Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)
- Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)
- Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)
- Alter your behavior (Change your attitudes and actions)
- Ask for forgiveness
See Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13.
I can relate to this thought from Tullian Tchividjian:
For preachers, Monday mornings can be dark. I can’t speak for every preacher, but the devil works hard to discourage me on Monday’s–reminding me of all my faults and failures and how unqualified I am to be doing what I’m doing. I need the gospel every day but sometimes I feel like I need it especially on Monday’s.
Tullian includes a wonderful Gospel prayer from Scotty Smith.
Read more here.
This morning is Super AWANA Sunday at the Red Brick Church. The title of the message is, “How to Hide.” The goal is to explain why Scripture memory is such an important part of our children’s curriculum, and to challenge our people to hide God’s Word in their hearts.
One of the reason we need to know how to hide is because we become like what we worship. Below is a post repeated from a few months ago that was also a radio spot.
When I was growing up, we didn’t have a broad range of sports in Southeast Iowa. We played football in the fall and basketball in the winter. The rest of the year was baseball.
We loved major league baseball players. Consciously and unconsciously we picked up the habits of our favorite players. Some of us twirled our bats like Willie Stargell. Others turned towards second base before pitching, like Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant. One of my friends pumped his back elbow when he was at the plate, just like the great Cincinnati Red, Joe Morgan.
Here’s what is interesting. When my friends and I imitated big leaguers we were demonstrating a basic theological principle. We become like what we worship. When fix our eyes on what we love, our hearts are warm and pliable. Consciously and unconsciously we begin to take on the shape of what we revere.
This is what Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 3:18a.
“. . . And we all . . . beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. . . .”
As we look lovingly at Christ, we become like Him.
So, here is what you do. Make the Lord Jesus Christ your hero. Gaze at him intensely. Savor his beauty and loveliness. Hear His Word preached, and soak your minds in Scripture. Warm your heart to the beauty of Jesus and you will be transformed into his image, from one degree of glory to another.
I’m thankful to hear that the Hope Children’s Center in Zambia is now up and running. Cornerstone in Ames, IA took leadership in making this happen.
Our church family may remember that Jeff Dodge from Cornerstone preached in our church and that we took up an offering for the Hope Children’s Center and also made a gift from our church missions budget.
So, by God’s grace, we had a very small part in this project – - It gives me such joy to reflect on this, to think what it can mean for some children and the future of Zambia.
Click here to read more.
Read endorsements for Unpacking Forgiveness here.
Click here to order Unpacking Forgiveness.
“. . . Chris Brauns has done a magnificent job in helping us understand the true nature of biblical forgiveness. Every Christian will profit from reading and applying this book.” Jerry Bridges.
“ . . . Unpacking Forgiveness is an engaging, convicting but emphatically encouraging treatment of this hugely important (and sometimes mindbogglingly challenging) part of life. Dr. Brauns writes from the standpoint of a faithful, wise, experienced and caring pastor . . .” Ligon Duncan, First Pres, Jackson, MS
A Brick in the Valley
