SUMMARY A friendly debate continues in this post with me first explaining why I hope I’m not your typical charismatic. I then explain why I believe Ephesians 4 demonstrates that these kinds of conversations are vitally important before engaging with a meandering list of issues. You can blame me for the disorganisation in this post since, although I am following Dan, he was following a staccato post I rattled off quickly one evening! The whole series demonstrates it really is... Read more
Last week, MLJ addressed the first of three passages that are sometimes cited to refute the idea that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from conversion.This week the Doctor will address Acts 2:37-39. In this passage, Peter tells his hearers what they must do to be saved. It is the basis for my description of the normal Christian birth in a post I wrote on “the simple gospel“. I also address it in the second post of my... Read more
This morning I preached on the need for us to control our tongues. Jubilee Church has made the audio available to download. I thought I would share with you the outline I preached from: KEY VERSE Prov 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. See also James 3:1-12: “…the tongue is a fire …” 1. DON’T SAY TOO MUCH Prov 10:19When words are many, transgression is not lacking,... Read more
Not unsurprisingly, I am somewhat preoccupied by Proverbs at the moment. Today I want to share with you an extended quote from one of John Piper’s sermons on Proverbs. I will share the quote and allow Piper to speak. I cannot encourage you enough to go read the whole sermon, or even listen to it online. This extract shows how Piper laboured with a single proverb to put it in context and truly understand it. It is a great illustration... Read more
In our introduction to the book of Proverbs at Jubilee the preacher mentioned the fact that proverbs are not promises, they are principles. I have been thinking a lot about that since. My new friend, Dan Phillips, has some great posts about proverbs that, among other things, help to unpack that. I am sure he won’t mind if I extract some quotes and interact with them here. The first post is where we find the reason why proverbs are not... Read more
This past Sunday I was privileged to listen to the second part of our series on Proverbs. This time we focused on the topic of work and, of course, the sluggard featured heavily in the sermon. It is a sermon that is well worth a listen, and I commend it to you. What better time than for me to share with you a collection of proverbs related to the sluggard. I would love for some of my readers who have... Read more
At the current rate of growth I guess everyone on the planet will eventually have a facebook account! I have had one for a while, and a number of you my lovely readers have been kind enough to make me your friends. I know that during my “light month of blogging” in August I shouldn’t get too sucked into the world of facebook. But it has been fun. And resistance is futile – we will all be assimilated. So, for... Read more
The baptism with the Holy Spirit is distinct from conversion. That is how one could summarise the Doctor’s teaching on the subject of the Spirit. One perhaps unintended consequence of his ministry was that, in the introduction of this subject to reformed pastors, several of them went on to become reformed charismatic ministers, spawning groups like newfrontiers – which has been remarkably successful in the UK. Perhaps the Doctor is partly responsible for why the charismatic landscape in the UK... Read more
Today was a very warm day here in England. It felt like summer had returned. Yet, somehow as the day progressed, I wasn’t able to enjoy it. This wasn’t just because I was sitting inside working. It was instead because of all that today represents. It was because of the memories. It was because of reading the stories of people like Jean Hoadley who were murdered that day.I wanted to write something eloquent. I failed. So I have done something... Read more
Last week I began my response to Dan Phillips by focusing on the importance of authentic relational Christianity. I had hoped that cessationists would have rallied to say something like, “Adrian, you are right about this bit — keep your tongues and prophecy to yourself, but we are as much in favour of a real emotional relationship with God as you are!” Sadly, this was far from the case. Even David Wayne begged to differ. John Piper, on the other... Read more
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