Derek Thornton

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Posts tagged Christ

29 notes &

Some complain of their sad spiritual state. Some make great self-efforts to revive their souls, such as imposing on themselves many religious duties. But if they would only behold the glory of Christ by faith as he is revealed to us in the Scriptures they would soon be healed. If only they would abide in Christ, then they would be fruitful. (John 15:4-5)
John Owen, The Glory of Christ (via michaelspotts)

Filed under John Owen quote glory Christ

4 notes &

Not that I am speaking of being in need,

for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

I know how to be brought low,

and I know how to abound.

In any and every circumstance,

I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

(Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

Filed under philippians Christ bible scripture

68 notes &

The difference between religion of worth and worthless religion

Outward acts of…piety which do not flow from the new and God-given affections of the heart, which delight to depend on God and seek his glory are only legalism and have no value in honoring God.

~John Piper


What you are when you are alone with God, that you are – and nothing more. You may make a great show of love and faith in church, singing like Pavarotti or attracting the masses to your profound Sunday school lectures. But if there is no private communion between you and Jesus – frequent and deep communion – then your religion is worthless.

~Kirk Lundgaard


A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.

~Martin Luther


You can have tons of religion without an ounce of salvation.

~ Author unknown

Filed under religion worth worthless Jesus Christ quote John Piper Kirk Lundgaard Martin Luther

4 notes &

The incarnation of the Son of God is necessary because the life we have through the new birth is life in union with the incarnate Christ. Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (John 6:51). That life that we have in union with Christ is the life that Jesus obtained for us by the life he lived and the death he died in the flesh.
John Piper

(Source: firstimportance.org)

Filed under john piper quote incarnation Jesus Christ Living bread

5 notes &

Merry Christmas to Tumblr!

Going to church in a few minutes to worship my Lord!

Remember one of the reasons why Christ was sent to us today!

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

(Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

Filed under Christmas xmas Christ Jesus Incarnation

6 notes &

Soli Deo Gloria: In reply to Derek

fivesolas:

derekthornton:

fivesolas:

“1 person esteems 1 day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The 1 who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord” - (Rom 14:5-6)

I agree, and see no inconsistency.

1. the context is not talking about any man…

I suggest this sermon series my pastor finished a month or so back on the matter of matters of indifference it applies to so much more than I ever thought and shows the right response to weaker brothers is always love. It also exposed some areas in my life that I thought I was the stronger brother in, but in fact I was the weaker brother.

Questions and Quarrels Part 1

Questions and Quarrels Part 2

Questions and Quarrels Part 3

I believe I have addressed what I needed to. Man made tradition for worship is not a valid argument for christian liberty. If that is so, then all sin is permissible for they have “weaker” faith. I still show my love in reproofing their error. Showing them that all days are the same.

This will be my last reply because I like to follow Titus 3:9.

It isn’t about reproofing their error (if indeed they are in error) or permitting sin. I can see you did not even listen to the sermons from your response. You need to read the rest of Rom 14 and 15 and consider what it means to “bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves”.

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

(Colossians 2:16-17 ESV)

It seems to me that this does refer to OT festivals and such, but the substance has already come. Hmm…the substance belongs to Christ and his life which fulfills these things was recorded for us in the four gospels. So shouldn’t it be permitted to worship the substance which is such a glorious story from birth, life, death, resurrection to ascension!

Can it be wrong to worship at any time the one who was born to die?

To take a stand that says basically that people are wrong to worship their Lord and Savior’s birth can not be right. He is worthy of worship at all times as the pagan wise men that came to visit Him recognized.

There is not a lot of instruction in the NT on worship compared to the OT, but that is on purpose because now those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. We are not given whole books of instruction on how to worship, it is left to us for the most part. For the birth of Christ we have chapters of Truth, and a spirit of joy at the thought of what God has done in sending His Son to die for us miserable sinners!

(via foreverreforming-deactivated201)

Filed under Christmas xmas Christ Jesus worship

2 notes &

If we regularly beheld the glory of Christ our Christian walk with God would become more sweet and pleasant, our spiritual light and strength would grow daily stronger and our lives would more gloriously represent the glory of Christ. Death would be most welcome to us.

John Owen

The Glory of Christ(Carlisle, Pa.: Banner of Truth, 1994), 21

(Source: firstimportance.org)

Filed under John Owen glory christ jesus

2 notes &

The Gospel- Of First Importance!

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:

that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

that he was buried,

that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

and that he appeared to Cephas,

then to the twelve.

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-11 ESV)

Filed under 1 Corinthians 15:13-11 i Corinthians gospel Jesus Christ