tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61962862012-01-05T16:23:39.619-08:00John's Theology Blog"The task of Christian scholarship is to study reality as a manifestation of God's glory, to speak about it with accuracy, and to savor the beauty of God in it." John PiperJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-15454059959356893702010-11-25T11:22:00.000-08:002010-11-25T11:43:33.691-08:00Arminian ordo salutis by Ben HenshawPrevenient graceFaith[Union with Christ]JustificationRegenerationSanctificationGlorificationNotes on Arminian ordo:Again, it is important to note that strictly speaking prevenient grace and faith are not part of salvation but are necessary to salvation. Prevenient grace makes the faith response possible and faith is the God ordained condition that must be met Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-22307382703660658402010-04-30T15:27:00.000-07:002010-05-01T05:19:17.261-07:00Gregory of Nazianzus on the divinity and humanity of ChristHe was baptized as man -- but he remitted sins as God...He was tempted as man, but he conquered as God...He hungered -- but he fed thousands...He was wearied, but he is the rest of them that are weary and heavy-laden. He was heavy with sleep, but he walked lightly over the sea...He pays tribute, but it is out of a fish; yea, he is the Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-52945653940882865502008-11-27T05:08:00.000-08:002008-11-27T05:28:27.175-08:00Light, Water, and Bread: Symbols of Everlasting Life in the Gospel of JohnIntroductionJohn utilizes more symbols than the Synoptics in describing the person, work, and life of Jesus. These symbols are clues into the present nature of everlasting life and are "designed to stimulate our God-given faculties to long to know more about our Savior and the benefits which he brings." A symbol is simply "Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-67320731759334339742008-07-28T06:06:00.001-07:002008-07-28T06:06:22.407-07:00Nathaniel "natedog" BrimacombeHPIM0655Originally uploaded by johnbrimacombeThis is a pic of my kid at the skate park!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-78650146329626555572008-02-27T20:01:00.000-08:002008-02-27T20:06:58.695-08:00Three Symbols of Everlasting Lifeby John Brimacombehttp://www.youshare.com/view.php?file=081207_Three_Symbols_of_Life.mp3Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-61337723510095649852006-11-24T16:26:00.000-08:002006-11-24T16:31:38.819-08:00What is the "Body of Christ?"There are two primary meanings when it comes to the question of what is the “body of Christ.”First, the “body of Christ” literally refers to the physical body of Jesus. Jesus had a human body like yours and mine. Romans 7:4 says, “So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the deadJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1154020586551865392006-07-27T10:09:00.000-07:002006-07-27T10:26:10.593-07:00Private Prayer Language Here are some of my thoughts about speaking in tongues from a yahoo discussion group I am a part of.I took First Corinthians in seminary with Dr. E. Earle Ellis. In his notes, he talks about this whole section (I Cor. 14:26-40) as being "Regulations of tongues and prophecy." That's the key word: regulation! Whatever is being taught here it is being regulated as to not Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1152734396283361242006-07-12T12:32:00.000-07:002006-07-12T13:02:10.956-07:00Andy Stanley and theological madnessOkay, I know. The title above is sort of provocative! Perhaps it is, but I read something this week that got me thinking. First, let me say that I like Andy Stanley. I think he is very creative and a true servant of God. However, sometimes, pastors can say things and I wish they would clarify them or at least think about the ramifications of such statments.Let Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1151604051967537132006-06-29T10:59:00.000-07:002006-06-29T11:00:51.983-07:00What is a steward?I Peter 4: 10 says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. "Steward: from the Greek oikonomos. The word denotes a slave who was responsible for managing his master's property of household and for distributing wages, food, etc. to it's members (Rogers & Rogers, "Linguistic and Exegetical key Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1150123040914190782006-06-12T07:30:00.000-07:002006-06-12T07:37:20.930-07:00Mary, a Virgin?I didn't realize that some of the early church fathers and even the great reformers (Luther, Calvin) believed in the perpetual virginity of Mary.Here's a list that comes from Scot Mcknight's blog:2d Century text Protevangelium JamesOrigen, Commentary on Matthew 10:17Athanasius, Virginity, can’t locate reference in my NPNF text.Augustine, Nature and Grace, 36.42.Martin Luther, WorksJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1150066986578562052006-06-11T16:02:00.000-07:002006-06-11T16:49:32.860-07:00Evangelicalism and DoctrineI was reading Alister Mcgrath's little book today about doctrine. Init he talks about the need for making claims about Christ. He says:1. Christianity is not a set of woolly and ill-defined attitudes tothe world in general and other human beings in particular. It is notan unstructured assortment of emotions of feelings. Rather, itcenters on beliefs about Jesus Christ, Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1148432275159694502006-05-23T17:43:00.000-07:002006-05-23T18:01:25.283-07:00Madonna, Jesus, and the Cross!Okay, I admit it! I use to listen to Madonna! I'm showing my age, but in the mid-eighties I listened to "material girl" and other songs (I won't go into my Prince phase...let's just say I got rid of the leather pants pretty quickly!).Madonna has shocked us with her sexuality on stage as well as her newly found faith: kabbalah. However, I'm still a little shocked at Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1145846561730170382006-04-23T19:41:00.000-07:002006-04-23T20:16:31.686-07:00Life is Beautiful!Okay, I don't know where I've been for the last 8 years, but apparently I've missed (probably because of my own stupidity) one of the best, if not the best film ever created. I love good movies; especially ones that make us think and bring out human characteristics that are admirable.Life is Beautiful is one of those films. This film stars and is directed by Roberto Benigni and Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1140576048235646912006-02-21T18:33:00.000-08:002006-02-21T19:04:50.636-08:00I Like Simon!by John BrimacombeOkay, I have to admit it! While many of the contestants on American Idol don't care for Simon's remarks...I like them. He tells it like it is, which is something we need in our lives. It is also refreshing in a society that wants to be patted on the back so often.How many only gravitate to those who will tell you want you want to hear? Only the majority! We need to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1138673585596348642006-01-30T17:59:00.000-08:002006-01-30T18:20:06.946-08:00The Highly Organized and Charismatic Structure of the Early Church by John BrimacombeSometimes we think of the early church as a loosely, unorganized, Spirit-filled group of believers. But is this the only way it was? Today the church is filled with highly qualified and organized people. People go to seminary to learn skills in preaching, teaching, youth, and music ministry. Yet there is also a Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1137432400138656792006-01-16T08:38:00.000-08:002006-01-16T09:41:52.420-08:00Barna's "Revolution"by John BrimacombeThere's a new book out by George Barna that is creating controversy in the local church, and I feel compelled to review and comment on it. I will tell you right off the bat that there is probably much that I am going to agree with in this book. I have read other blogs and comments on it and some of Barna's feelings are my feelings too. Yet, there is an Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1136939818296076652006-01-10T16:35:00.000-08:002006-01-10T16:36:58.310-08:00The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobeby Kari Brimacombe Through the wardrobe! When little Lucy Pevensie wanders through the wardrobe into a magical land of talking animals and other strange happenings, I can’t help but be reminded of another young girl I read about as a child who fell through the looking glass and had quite an adventure of her own. While there are Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1134954570186419842005-12-18T16:16:00.000-08:002005-12-20T10:05:27.943-08:00The Man in Black: Johnny Cash's Theology of Sin?by John BrimacombeI have to admit that I've always been enamored with Johnny Cash. Growing up there were a few people in the media that I looked up to; those whom I felt I knew when I saw their face. One of them was Billy Graham, whenver he would do one of his preaching crusades on television. The other was Johnny Cash.As a little kid I remember Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1134612566291919072005-12-14T17:44:00.000-08:002005-12-15T15:09:50.286-08:00Learning From Our Ancient Pastby John BrimacombeI've been teaching a Church History class for the last few months and the one thing I've had to do is refamiliarize myself with all the past history of church leaders, councils, creeds, and dates. It's actually been a fun thing to do and it has made me reflect some on my own faith lately. How much do we know of our heritage in the faith? Do we know Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1132973603503408452005-11-25T18:37:00.000-08:002005-11-25T18:56:13.960-08:00It's Been Awhileby John BrimacombeWell, it's November 25th and I realize that I haven't been faithful to my blog as I have been in the past! Life is like that! It's kind of like getting a new toy for Christmas and playing with it for awhile, and then getting bored! But, for me, it hasn't really been about getting bored with my blog. It's been more about time. I started a new teaching position Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1130614726653866142005-10-29T12:35:00.000-07:002005-10-29T12:40:18.830-07:00Review of Wolfgang Simson's book, House Churches that Changed the Worldby John BrimacombeWolfgang Simson’s House Churches that Changed the World is a work that highlights the importance and significance of the house church movement that is going on in the world today. His premise is that Jesus gave us the Great Commission and that “this will only ever be achieved by having a church – God’s shop Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1123636643055475212005-08-09T18:07:00.000-07:002005-08-09T18:20:01.243-07:00Back to Workby John BrimacombeOkay, I'm going back to work after two and a half years of being Mr. Mom! (Actually that was work too but I won't go there right now). I've accepted a teaching position at First Baptist Academy teaching Bible. I'll be teaching three subjects: Old Testament, Church Doctrine, and Church History. I'm excited, but also a little anxious because it is something new for me.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1122573183799831122005-07-28T10:44:00.000-07:002005-07-28T10:53:27.096-07:00Could Jesus and the disciples read and write?I was reading one of my favorite's prof's thoughts on this and thought I would post them. Here it is.E. Earle Ellis, The Making of the New Testament Documents, Brill,2002, pg 22, 30-31:"Literacy was widespread in Palestinian Judaism. 'The society where Jesus appeared--even the small towns of Galilean countryside--was no pre-literacy society.' The Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1122131586227070572005-07-23T08:10:00.000-07:002005-07-23T08:13:06.236-07:00The Bible's Human Authorsby John StottThe biblical historians were not historians in the modern sense, writing with scientific detachment. They were theologians too, writing from a divine perspective. They were not morally and spiritually neutral; they were deeply committed to God's cause. The Old Testament history books were regarded as prophecy, and the four lives of Jesus are not Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1121699180307381552005-07-18T08:03:00.000-07:002005-07-18T08:06:20.316-07:00A parable of freedomby John StottLet me develop a little parable. It uses flight as a picture of freedom (memories of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull!) and seeks to characterize (not, I hope, caricature) the essential difference between the fundamentalist, the liberal and the evangelical. The fundamentalist seems to me to resemble a caged bird, which possesses the capacity for flight, but lacks theJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1120238551614611552005-07-01T10:08:00.000-07:002005-07-01T10:36:08.800-07:00Reconciliation as the Purpose of Romans?by John Brimacombe (with some help by John Stott)John Stott makes some interesting points about the purpose of Romans in his commentary on the book of Romans. I think they are interesting in that I've never thought about reconciliation, peacemaking, and Paul's role in this, being significant in the purpose of Romans. When people have controversy, especiallyJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1120003197828578112005-06-28T16:58:00.000-07:002005-06-28T16:59:57.836-07:00Freedom!Wahoo! Thank God for Freedom!by John BrimacombeThe statue of Liberty, parades, fireworks, families, and hot dogs on the grill; what does all this remind you of? It's pretty obvious! It reminds us of the things we enjoy on the Fourth of July. This annual celebration is something that, as younger kids, we may have taken for granted. Not until we are older do we understand the significance Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1118614862834670232005-06-12T14:49:00.000-07:002005-06-13T06:57:04.226-07:00Listen, Receive, and Do God's Word!James 1:19-27by John BrimacombeDo you ever have trouble listening? As kids we may have been distracted at times when our parents would talk to us. "Clean your room," in which we would reply, "okay Mom!" But then four hours later our room was still not clean. When we come to James 1:19-27, James is telling us to listen, receive, and do what God tells us to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1117039090330548542005-05-25T09:18:00.000-07:002005-06-02T21:46:46.610-07:00Why did Anakin turn to the Dark Side?James 1:13-18by John BrimacombeAnakin turns to the dark side! I've known this would happen for 25 years, but I just had to see it for myself. I've seen the movie twice...I know, I'm a geek. Well, at least I didn't dress up as Yoda or a Storm Trooper! And I see such a correlation between James 1:13-18 and Anakin Skywalker.James, in verses 2-12 talked about the Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1116470269807062412005-05-18T19:37:00.000-07:002005-06-02T21:45:33.720-07:00Blessed be the NameThis is me leading worship at The Church on Rush Creek, Nov. 28, 2004. It's not the best recording since I had the phone in front of my computer speaker.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1116381493925562642005-05-17T18:22:00.000-07:002005-05-17T21:11:15.803-07:00Is James Crazy?James 1:2-12by John BrimacombeWhenever I read James 1:2, I often think, "James are you crazy?" He says there "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." This is such the opposite of what I do. I usually panic, wondering how I can get out of some situation. And in some cases I will try to manipulate my circumstance so that I don't have to go through Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1116016289739131422005-05-13T13:04:00.000-07:002005-05-13T13:52:20.936-07:00Star Wars and Redemptionby John BrimacombeWell the much awaited third installment of the Star Wars prequel, Revenge of the Sith, is coming next week. I can't wait! Although I have to admit that when the first movie came out in 1977 I wasn't that big of a fan. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie! But I was a Trekkie and nothing could compare to Captain Kirk and Spock! (I know...it's sacrilege, Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1115132852341986922005-05-03T07:40:00.000-07:002005-05-04T12:00:59.776-07:00The Church Is Not The Buildingby John BrimacombeLast night the childrens building and offices of our church burned down. We were settled in last night, getting ready to watch the last few episodes of Everyone Loves Raymond when I got a frantic call. "Tell Kari (my wife who is the Children's minister) that the Children's building is on fire...it's blazing!" Not really thinking we loaded up our Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1114441403068215212005-04-25T07:34:00.000-07:002005-04-25T09:15:26.413-07:00Warren's Purple Haze?by John BrimacombeWell, Rick Warren and Saddleback Community Church have celebrated 25 years of ministry in Orange County, California. Warren's story is an amazing one. At twenty-five years old, he and his wife packed up a u-haul and traveled to an area that he believed God was leading him. They literally started a church from nothing and now are 20,000 plus strong!However, Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1114120051845448272005-04-21T14:46:00.000-07:002005-04-21T18:22:11.466-07:00The Sins of Bishop Spongby John BrimacombeOkay...Bishop Spong has done it again! He's written a book that once again questions the Bible's authority and Christians' adherence to it. It's called The Sins of Scripture, but it should be called The Sins of Bishop Spong.Some may think that I'm being to harsh, yet I have given Spong the benefit of the doubt too many times. It seems that Spong wants to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1113030932699879792005-04-08T23:49:00.000-07:002005-04-09T00:21:06.223-07:00The Book of Jamesby John BrimacombeMy hometeam is studying the book of James right now so I thought I would record my thoughts as we go through the book. What I found interesting about this book are the major themes that are presented and which saturate it. I get these from Nystrom's NIV Application Commentary.The first theme is suffering with a special emphasis on our attitude while undergoing Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1112821535745323062005-04-06T13:59:00.000-07:002005-04-06T19:35:41.396-07:00Marketing Your Messageby John BrimacombeMarketing is all around us. When we drive down the roads and see giant McDonald billboard signs that entice us with Big Macs, or on the radio trying to persuade us about which laundry detergent we should use, or on TV during the Super Bowl alluring us with hotdogs all the way to the kind of jeans we should wear. All of this is marketing. Marketing is being Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1112210315791570642005-03-30T10:19:00.000-08:002005-03-30T11:30:15.543-08:00The Greatest Story Ever Toldby John BrimacombeOne of the first Christian films I saw when I became a believer was George Stevens The Greatest Story Ever Told, 1965. While the actor portraying Jesus had a Swedish accent and closely cropped beard he played the role with a certain reverence that was refreshing. The scene where Jesus weeps at the death of Lazarus is classic and worth the time in Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1112050202036931562005-03-28T14:15:00.000-08:002005-03-28T16:07:25.590-08:00Knowing God with the Heart and Headby John BrimacombeI went to Dr. Curtis Vaughan's funeral last Saturday. He was one of my favorite profs at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his classes were intriguing, intellectually satisfying, and emotionally moving. In essence, they satisfied the heart and head.The book of Ephesians was Dr. Vaughan's favorite New Testament book. In fact, in a Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1111620027726543882005-03-23T15:04:00.000-08:002005-03-23T15:20:27.726-08:00Curtis Vaughan retired distinguished professor of New Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.Dr. Vaughan was one of my favorite profs at Southwestern. He died yesterday after a stellar 50 years of teaching. I had him for Greek and the book of Ephesians. I wish now that I had recorded his Ephesians class because he was an excellent and godly teacher. His favorite New Testament bookJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1111607486668983002005-03-23T11:41:00.000-08:002005-03-23T13:57:57.033-08:00Some Thoughts on the Authority of the Bibleby John BrimacombeI've been in a few conversations lately about the authority and inspiration of the Bible on a popular yahoo group that I am a part of. Instead of summarizing it I am going to post some of my posts from that site. Here they are...I'm not saying love letters can't come from God in different ways...I think God does speak to us through Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1111161323078965192005-03-18T07:43:00.000-08:002005-03-20T15:03:52.890-08:00Can Anyone Follow Jesus' Sermon?by John BrimacombeWhen one reads the sermon on the mount (Matt 5-7) it can discourage you to some degree or another. The reason is because it seems so hard to follow. Jesus says not only are you not to commit adultery, but you're not even to lust after a woman. This has spawned much debate as to whether the sermon is law or gospel. Today I share with you some Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1110579828817657222005-03-11T14:02:00.000-08:002005-03-11T14:42:38.886-08:00Perspectiveby John BrimacombeRemember the old cliche...when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, that's kind of corny, yet there is a profound truth that should be recognized and lived out. Throughout the scriptures there is a reality check that helps us to see things in a different perspective.This is prevalent in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms. David, many times pours out Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1109643269453411982005-02-28T18:08:00.000-08:002005-02-28T18:17:16.086-08:00A Theology of the Kingdom Presentby John BrimacombeA theology of the kingdom present implies a mission that is redemptive by nature. As Boyd Hunt says, "It is God's primary mission in the world." Closely connected to mission is the idea of Jesus' incarnation, which is the model for believers. John Stott calls this the incarnational model based upon the words of Jesus in John 20:21b which says, "Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1109009673651535772005-02-21T09:48:00.000-08:002005-02-21T10:16:22.676-08:00The Christian Life is a Progression!by John BrimacombeSometimes we view our Christian lives only from the viewpoint of when we became a Christian. For me that was in October of 1985. I often find myself thinking about the "good ole days," but I need to remember that the believer's life is a progression!I Corinthians 1:5-9 speaks about this progression. Paul says that he thanks God for the Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1107049283335642182005-01-29T17:21:00.000-08:002005-01-29T17:41:23.336-08:00Interruptions
by John Brimacombe
I remember one Christmas eve...Our church had just finished our Christmas eve service and I had the van packed up to make the 500 mile trip to Oklahoma for Christmas Day. I was about to walk out the church door when somebody came in. He began by saying that he just needed to talk to someone, that he had been thinking about God lately and he needed to talk to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1104728468486950512005-01-02T20:47:00.000-08:002005-03-17T19:46:26.876-08:00A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Psalm 46)by John BrimacombeOne of my favorite movies is Star Wars. In the sequel The Empire Strikes Back, an eccentric gnome like character named Yoda teaches Young Luke Skywalker the "ways of the force". In one scene the wise Yoda is instructing Luke to use the "force" to raise his space fighter from a dark, gloomy swamp. After many attempts Luke fails miserably to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1102914518704795542004-12-12T20:46:00.000-08:002004-12-15T21:24:09.310-08:00The Baby Jesus
by John Brimacombe
Nathaniel sat quietly and intently as his Sunday School teacher spoke about the baby Jesus. He had heard of the baby Jesus before, and had even sang songs about him, but today the teacher was holding the baby Jesus in her hands and showing the kids how Mary took care of him. Of course it wasn't the real baby Jesus, it was only a very white plastic doll. But to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1100727789256393972004-11-17T13:38:00.000-08:002004-11-17T13:57:42.796-08:00Santa and Christmas?
by Chris Forbes
About Santa Claus. My wife and I thought we would not have Santa with our first daughter ( we now have three) because we didn't want to "lie:" to her about Santa and have her think we lied to her about Jesus. We tried our best not to encourage anything about Santa, yet our daughter would have none of it. She would make up her own stuff about Santa and took Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1098721396922690862004-10-25T09:05:00.000-07:002004-10-25T15:29:08.693-07:00Hey, we're all going to die!
by John Brimacombe
Do you remember the first time you realized that you weren't going to live forever. I do! I just laid there thinking that someday, I won't be around. I wouldn't be able to think about not being able to think. Someday this body would die! Well, sorry...I'm not trying to depress anyone! But it's a reality!
You know, Jesus said the same thing, but inJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1094763156629936772004-09-25T23:25:00.000-07:002004-09-25T21:26:17.963-07:00Helping Hands
by John Brimacombe
I got to preach a few weeks ago. I preached on the Good Samaritan and talked about the 3 main characters in the parable and how there are 3 main lessons for us. From the religious leaders we learn that religion can get in the way of helping other people. They were to concerned about ritual defilement to help someone in need. From the Good Samaritan we learn that Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1095514672361022382004-09-18T06:36:00.000-07:002004-09-18T06:37:52.360-07:00Ode to my Coffee Filter
by John Brimacombe
I'm down to my last coffee filter,
I've know for weeks that I needed more.
Yet, why do I live so closely to the edge?
Why do I live so dangerously?
Realizing one morning, I could wake up.
And open the cupboard door,
And then the headaches, the grouchiness, the mood swings,
the yelling at children, the kicking of the cat!!
And then, I will have to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1095356901752041642004-09-16T10:38:00.000-07:002004-09-16T11:41:32.960-07:00Baseball and Our Kids
by John Brimacombe
I just saw the footage of the Texas Rangers pitcher throwing a chair into the stands hitting two women and breaking one of their noses! How appalling! I have become more concerned about things like this in sports all the way from little league, with fathers duking it out, to the major leagues where multi-million dollar players, who are suppose to be role Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1093876129950087742004-08-30T07:09:00.001-07:002004-08-30T12:50:47.390-07:00Fallen and Redeemed
by John Brimacombe
I am part of several yahoo discussion groups and on one of them we got into a discussion about the fallen aspect of humanity and how that relates to economic and political issues in our world today. I think some of these remarks I made were significant and instead of writing a whole new article I thought I would just paste them here. I did make a few Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1093226093176220922004-08-22T18:30:00.000-07:002004-08-24T20:25:52.953-07:00
Why Suffering?
by John Brimacombe
In Fyodor Dostovesky's great novel, The Brother's Karamazov, a debate between two brothers take place. Ivan is the educated university student whose pessimistic mindset has influenced his views towards God. Alyosha is a monk who is committed to the things of God. In their discussion, the issue of suffering is discussed to great lengths. Ivan believes there is Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1092022005933865252004-08-08T20:24:00.000-07:002004-08-08T20:51:38.960-07:00
Faith and the journey
by John Brimacombe
Faith is like taking a journey or trying something new like snow skiing or rock climbing, something that is risky and exiting all at the same time. It’s like a journey because when you are on a journey there are things to see and people to meet. The journey is not just about getting to a destination (although that is good) but it is about experiencing Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1091066126562243422004-07-28T18:46:00.000-07:002004-07-28T19:04:28.343-07:00
How to Share the most important thing
by John Brimacombe
If you have discovered the most important thing (which is Jesus), then it is only normal to want to share the most important thing with others! As Believers, we are called and commanded to share our experience of Jesus with others.
Matthew 28:19-20 lays the foundation for our sharing. It says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1090334538392093082004-07-20T07:41:00.000-07:002004-07-26T09:55:30.116-07:00
Why Obedience Is Important
by John Brimacombe
Whenever my mother use to say to me, "This is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you," I always suspected that she was just using a line on me. As a parent I've realized that that line is not only true, but deeply true. Disciplining a child and instilling a sense of obedience is not easy for the child or the parent. But this disciplineJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1089231848617112122004-07-07T13:07:00.000-07:002004-07-20T07:53:10.960-07:00
Prayer and Barney?
by John Brimacombe
The other day our firstborn child shocked us with his new prayer at lunch time. He usually says a prayer and thanks God for the food, as well as every friend he has and numerous other things. But this time he started out his prayer by singing a song. You know how it goes. "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family. With a great big hug and a kiss fromJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1088116740795142042004-06-24T15:37:00.000-07:002004-08-01T19:58:05.053-07:00Freedom!
by John Brimacombe
Parades, fireworks, families, and hotdogs on the grill; what does all this remind you of? It's pretty obvious! It reminds us of the things we enjoy on the Fourth of July. This annual celebration is something that, as younger kids, we may have taken for granted. Not until we are older do we understand the significance of that day. We as a nation celebrate freedom on Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1087573738798924482004-06-18T08:48:00.000-07:002004-08-01T19:58:32.786-07:00Why Do We Need to Go to Church?
Start your week right!
by John Brimacombe
A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is an individual experience, but it is far from a private experience! When you become a Christian your faith is not dependent on anyone else—each of us is saved by our own trust in Jesus. However, when a person becomes a believer in Christ he/she becomes part of the family of Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1086757734986986592004-06-08T21:58:00.000-07:002004-07-21T18:57:53.496-07:00Evangelism is born of love
by John Brimacombe
Someone has just said to me that they think Christians make friends with others just to convert them...just to add another number to the church role. Really?
While I would not argue that those types of motives are right, I would argue that most Christians don't have any non-Christian friends. The longer one is a Christian, the less non-Christian Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1085671328819441582004-05-27T08:04:00.000-07:002004-07-20T09:06:04.736-07:00When all seems lost, remember hope!
by John Brimacombe
I just saw all three "Lord of the Rings" movies for the first time this week! I know. Where have I been? Well...let me just say they are probably the best films of all time. Even better than "Star Wars" and "Star Trek: Wrath of Khan."
Anyway, I love films and books about the epic struggle between good and evil. There is an element Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1085176570334057872004-05-21T14:48:00.000-07:002004-07-20T09:06:32.446-07:00What Is God Like?
by John Brimacombe
Do you remember as a kid wondering what God is like or what he looks like? As a kid, we lived in a world of cause and effect. I kicked the ball and it flew away. I turned on the TV and I watched cartoons. I didn't do my homework and I got an F (okay, now you know mostly what my childhood was like). As a child we often wondered who God's daddy was. But Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1084736414711783652004-05-16T12:34:00.000-07:002004-07-20T09:07:08.266-07:00The God who sends
by John Brimacombe
In my last post I said that door-to-door witnessing doesn't work for the most part. There are exceptions, but I still think that building relationships with people with the intent of sharing Christ with them is the best way of evangelism today. While I feel that witnessing door-to-door isn't that effective anymore, this is not to suggest that I think "goingJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1084387173160341632004-05-12T11:19:00.000-07:002004-07-20T09:07:29.680-07:00Living Out the Truth
by John Brimacombe
Thirty to Forty years ago it was popular to go door to door and share one's faith with another person. It was a straight-forward, often combative style of evangelism and for it's time it worked. But times have changed and people and the society at large have changed. Not only is the method of going door to door outdated, but in some ways the strategy ofJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1084302410179292052004-05-11T12:05:00.000-07:002004-07-20T09:07:53.646-07:00How The Bible Can Help You Everyday:
Pick it up and read it
by John Brimacombe
The Bible is unlike any other document you have ever read—it is more than a source of information about God and spiritual things. It is actually intended to be the resource that can guide you in all of life. It’s true, the Bible can help a person know, grow and worship God. But you have to read it!
Experience God Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1081882335078483502004-04-13T11:52:00.000-07:002004-07-20T09:09:07.543-07:00Jesus: the center of everything?
by John Brimacombe
'And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.' Luke 24:27
A proper understanding of salvation history understands that at the center of everything, including history, is Jesus Christ. He is the goal, focus, and center of all. History is His story and it shouldn'tJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1078952739302099732004-03-12T08:01:00.000-08:002004-07-20T09:04:58.623-07:00Home Ownership, Evangelism, and the Gospel
by John Brimacombe
Jesus said to his disciples, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." I have always been amazed at that statement because they dropped everything and did it. I am sure that they had heard of Jesus and more than likely heard him speak and so it wasn't a total spontaneous act as we may think. Yet, there was something in Jesus'Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1076107440207097442004-02-06T14:44:00.000-08:002004-07-20T09:04:21.653-07:00Jesus and Wealth
By John Brimacombe
Why is that Jesus commanded the rich young ruler to give all his possessions and money away and to "come follow me?" (Mark 10:17-27) Some have objected to this and have said that Jesus was being to hard on this person. I happen to disagree!
I think Jesus was focusing on the one thing that this young man truly put his trust and faith in. Like a hawk Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1075604537953120902004-01-31T19:02:00.000-08:002004-05-11T15:24:54.763-07:00
Understanding the Kingdom of God
by Georgia Harkness
First, the kingdom means the sovereign, righteous rule of God. It is a rule in which power and goodness, judgment and mercy are combined. Though the term arose when the nations were monarchies, and it had a more realistic symbolism then than now, it connotes power exercised, not in arbitrary dictatorial authority, but in loving concern. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1074884526595639952004-01-23T11:02:00.000-08:002004-07-20T09:02:46.646-07:00The People of God
by John Brimacombe
The Christian life is not lived out in isolation, but in community and family. John Wesley once said, "Christianity is not a solitary religion." This is something that believers everywhere need to take to heart. I believe it was Henry Blackaby who said, "Salvation is a personal thing, but it was never meant to be private." What he means is that Jesus Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1074837178303151962004-01-22T21:52:00.000-08:002004-06-28T14:40:40.916-07:00Like Jesus?
by John Brimacombe
Psalms 72:19 says, "Praise be to his glorious name, may the whole earth be filled with His glory." I think that one way this happens is when believers begin to love one another and the world takes notice. Jesus in John 15 said that believers should love one another, but sometimes it doesn't seem that we can or want to do this.
I don't think that there is Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1074718806366822532004-01-21T13:00:00.000-08:002004-05-14T08:16:25.093-07:00Top Ten Features of "Apostolic Congregations"
by George Hunter
Apostolic Congregations;
1. Take a redundant approach to rooting believers and seekers in Scripture.
2. Are disciplined and earnest in Prayer, and expect and experience God's actions in response.
3. Understand, like, and have compassion for lost, unchurched, pre-Christian people.
4. Obey the Great Commission--more as warrantJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1074701758551365532004-01-21T08:15:00.000-08:002004-05-14T08:16:54.246-07:00
ONE FAITH: The Evangelical Consensus
By J. I. Packer and Thomas C. Oden
Coming Soon!
This book will be available for sale after its expected publication date: May 2004.
Table of Contents
Topical Outline
Introduction
1 The Good News: The Heart of the Gospel
2 The Bible: The Authority of Holy Scripture
3 The One True God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
4 Human Life Under God: Creation Fallen into Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1074576040200100212004-01-19T21:20:00.000-08:002004-01-20T07:18:35.733-08:00Christ in You, This Age, and The Age to Come!
by John Brimacombe
I Just read a devotion by Henry Blackaby. He is good, because he has a way of stating truth that maybe we've heard over and over again, but does it in a way that makes us stand up and say, "hey...I've never thought of it that way before." That's the difference between hearing and listening. Blackaby quotes Col. 1:27, which says,Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1074213018967267632004-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:002004-05-11T10:40:24.243-07:00Diversity
by John Brimacombe
No one church or person can reach every person.
It takes all kinds of denominations, churches, pastors, people, groups, organizations, house churches, cell groups, coffee houses, youth groups, to reach out to all of the different "ta ethne" (the nations, peoples) of the world.
However, make no mistake. We are all part of the universal church. One body...many partsJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1074187561669118852004-01-15T09:26:00.000-08:002004-01-15T09:28:28.686-08:00“Targeting for Evangelism is Biblical”
By Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church
The practice of targeting specific kinds of people for evangelism is a biblical principle for ministry. It’s as old as the New Testament. Jesus targeted his ministry. When a Canaanite woman asked Jesus to minister to her demon-possessed daughter, he publicly stated that the Father had told him to focus on “the Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1073876278275771062004-01-11T18:57:00.000-08:002004-01-11T19:07:39.806-08:00The Message of the Cross, Foolishness, and Rationality
by John Brimacombe
I Cor. 1:18 says that the message of the cross is foolishness "to those who are perishing." Why? Because of the noetic effects of sin! Sin effects our mind, the way we think! This is an inevitable result of the departure of humanity from God. Unbelievers see the message as foolishness because they cannot understand God's Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1073790379509535072004-01-10T19:06:00.000-08:002004-01-10T20:52:25.330-08:00The Woman at the Well and Rational Faith
by John Brimacombe
Faith is rational! It may be expressed in a thousand different ways and emotions, but it is rational!
Rationality doesn't do away with the emotive or subjective aspects of faith. Jesus, when encountering the woman at the well, presented rational truths to her about many things (worship, nature of God, and eventually his identity as theJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1073684404489202542004-01-09T13:40:00.000-08:002004-01-09T19:12:12.623-08:00Five Purposes?
by John Brimacombe
Jesus doesn't ask us to do anything that he hasn't done already himself. Jesus lived out the five purposes of the church when he lived here on earth and we, individually and corporately in the church, are to live out those five purpose too!
Jesus taught people. In fact he took 12 men under his wing and taught them about God, life, salvation, and Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1072059812941938792003-12-21T18:23:00.000-08:002004-05-11T19:52:47.940-07:00
"Traditional" Christmas Tree?
by John Brimacombe
I read an article in Christianity Today which tries to surmise what a geniune, traditional Christmas tree looks like. Traditional in the sense of historical. Most of us put on lights and bulbs and an angel on top, however, what did the first decorated tree look like?
CT says that the earliest tree came about by the monk Boniface, in the 7th Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1071884824237272182003-12-19T17:47:00.000-08:002004-05-11T19:46:24.423-07:00
Why Not Just Believe the Unbelievable?
by John Brimacombe
I know that science and the bible have sometimes come into conflict with each other through the years. Especially are the miraculous stories of the Old and New Testament that amaze us and leave us a bit bewildered. Some reject these stories all together and surmise that other explanations must prevail. While we can debate some issues Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196286.post-1071716248738097602003-12-17T18:57:00.000-08:002004-05-11T19:40:59.790-07:00
Salvation Is Restoring All Things
by John Brimacombe
Have you ever thought about the fact that In Christ all things are being restored. The Scriptures tell us that God through Christ was pleased "to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Col 1:20).
Think with me what this means. It means that Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790813069522025221noreply@blogger.com