September 2011 - Servants of Grace

Book Review Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, The New Creation and the End of Poverty

Posted by Dave Jenkins | Sep 29, 2011 | Book Reviews, Reviews | 0 |

Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, The New Creation and the End of Poverty (Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, the New Creation and the End of Poverty) is written by Aaron Armstrong, preacher, blogger, author, and writer for an international Christian ministry focused on caring for the needs of the poor. Out of his experience caring for the needs of the poor through writing, and ministering to them; he has written a book that gets to the heart of the matter on poverty by focusing on the Gospel and its implications. As I read through this book, I was struck by how Aaron continually brought me back to the Gospel. The real problem as Aaron rightly describes in this book is that most discussions on poverty miss any mention of sin. Sin is the problem, and its effects are felt whether one is rich or poor. Having previous served the poor on the streets and in homeless shelters; I can tell you that the real problem is as Aaron describes in this book, sin. The solution to the problem of poverty isn’t more programs while they can be helpful at times; the solution is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Aaron walks through the biblical teaching on poverty he does so in a way that is convincing and challenging. It would all too easy to point fingers on an issue like...

Thinking out loud about blog conversation geared toward men

Posted by Dave Jenkins | Sep 28, 2011 | Warriors of Grace, What We Write About | 8 |

A few people and I have been discussing having a blog conversation about topics related to men. The big idea is to have a weekly topic that we discuss, and then have one of the men write up a post on that topic. After the blog post is posted; any and all the men would respond to the post giving their thoughts, and feedback on the topic being discussed. The goal is to probe deeper into God’s Word together as men; holding one another accountable and to pray for one another. Here is what I’ve proposed so far to a few but now publically. I’m willing to host this weekly blog/conversation here on Servantsofgrace. While I’m thinking out loud here I would love your feedback, suggestions, ideas and anything else you can think of. The goal here isn’t about driving more traffic to one site, etc; it is to grow together as men in Christ, so that men can be strengthened in the Gospel and local churches can be strengthened in the work of the Great Commission. I look forward to any and all questions, ideas, and...

Book Review of Welcome to the Story: Reading, Loving, and Living God’s Word

Posted by Dave Jenkins | Sep 27, 2011 | Book Reviews, Reviews | 0 |

Welcome to the Story: Reading, Loving, and Living God’s Word is written by Dr. Stephen J. Nichols research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School. In this book, Dr. Nichols outlines the story of the Bible in four words: creation, fall, redemption and restoration. This book isn’t about just how creation, fall, redemption and restoration fit the storyline of the Bible, but rather goes beyond that to show why this story is fundamental to making sense of our own story. Everyone has a story full of different life experiences, but ultimately there is One story that supersedes all stories, and that is the story of the redemptive work of Christ. Welcome to the Story does not stop at just explaining biblical or theological concepts, but rather teaches how one can read the Bible and understand the redemptive story of God reconciling people to Himself. Personally, I found Dr. Nichols book to be helpful as he proposes how the storyline of Scripture (creation, fall, redemption and restoration) ought to affect how we read the Bible, and love and live God’s Word. I appreciated the fact that even when the author gets practical he keeps the storyline of the Scriptures before his readers and applies that storyline to what God’s story does to us, and how it affects the way we live for Him. The most...

Thankfulness

Posted by Dave Jenkins | Sep 26, 2011 | The Gospel and the Christian Life, What We Write About | 0 |

While in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 Paul in 1st Thessalonians 5:12-15 has shown what should be the attitude of the Thessalonians toward their leaders, to fellow-members characterized by particular shortcomings, to those who have injured them, and finally to one another and to all, in verses 16-18 he sets forth what should be their inner attitude and how this inner attitude should express itself with reference to God. Hence, we now have the following three beautiful closely related and tersely expressed admonitions: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The Thessalonians were no strangers to the “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8), the “great joy” which results from the incarnation of Christ and from the redemption wrought through his cross. Yet with persecution from without and disturbances within, there was a danger (human speaking) that this joy would disappear. Hence, Paul, who himself again and again rejoiced in the midst of persecution and hardship (3:7-9; Phil 3:1; 4:4, 10), urges his readers to rejoice always. In seasons of distress and grief he alone is able to find relief and even be joyful (Rom. 8:28, 35-39) who at the Father’s throne makes all his wants and wishes known. Hence, the directive “rejoice always” is immediately followed by “pray without ceasing.” What Paul means is there...

Hypocrisy and Worship

Posted by Dave Jenkins | Sep 24, 2011 | Luke, Media | 0 |

http://media.blubrry.com/equipping_you_in_grace/p/www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/servantsofgrace.org/mediafolder/Hypocrisyandworship.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedSubscribe Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Stitcher | RSSThis is sermon #86 in the Luke series. In this sermon on Luke 20:45-21:4 Dave preaches on hypocrisy, humility, the nature of Christian ministry, and the nature and demands of...