"...to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

This band is David Crowder Band minus David Crowder. This song is always stuck in my head for hours after I hear it.

Sunday we discussed the encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus. Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again. We talked about what it means to be born again. Watch this challenging clip from David Platt regarding contemporary statistics on born again Christians.

If what Platt says is true, we're surrounded by lost people. Clearly this is a reminder to see not just the rest of the world, but our community as our mission field.

See you Sunday!
J

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free..."

Well, the Crossroads blog is back after a long hiatus. Some new faces have popped up. Some classic faces have moved on to serve in other classes. I'm so glad to have the opportunity to get together with you guys every week.

I know it's hardly thrilling to watch two guys sit in chairs and calmly talk about the Holy Spirit, but this is rewarding viewing. Two Sundays ago we discussed the Spirit's identity and yesterday we talked about the Spirit's work. Here, John Piper answer a question about whether the Spirit is emphasized enough in evangelical communities. As always, he provides an insightful answer.

This clip also serves as a bit of foreshadowing for the lesson this coming Sunday. See you then!

"What is His name? What should I tell them?"

We had a great time at the gnat attack cook-out Tuesday. Unfortunately, we'll be out again this weekend. Fortunately, Justin and Haylee will be leading class Sunday!

Take a few minutes and watch this clip of RC Sproul talking about God's "being." It'll make you feel simultaneously small and big. 

We'll see everyone a week from Sunday!

J

"Claiming to be wise, they became fools..."

Good to see some new faces mixed in with the old classic faces. It's getting stuffy and crowded in our life group room, but that's a good problem to have!

 

Sunday we briefly discussed "the new atheism." The author of our lesson suggested that Christians should not be overly defensive in response to the attacks of these aggressive atheists. Tim Keller echoes that sentiment in this brief clip.

He seems to suggest that noise versus noise simply creates a louder noise. It is frustrating that adherents of the new atheism would be so dismissive of our faith, our truth, and our Savior. Shouting back might feel gratifying in the moment, but to what end?

Hope everyone is having a good, productive week.

 

J

"Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me"

So good to be back (finally)! Our vacation was full of blessings and reminders of how good God is.

Anyway, excellent contributions all around Sunday and nice to see some new faces. Sunday we discussed the difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God. Tullian Tchividjian presents an interesting answer to the question: "Do I know God?"

Just to tie up this theme of knowing/knowing about, watch this short clip of Apollo astronauts Gene Cernan and Charlie Duke discussing their revelations upon being in space. Duke was on Apollo 16 and Cernan, often spoken of as "the last man on the moon," was on Apollo 17. Charlie Duke's last statement is fantastic.

Have a great week!

"The law came along to multiply the tresspass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more..."

"I can't comprehend Your infinitely beautiful and perfect love..."

It was great to be back today. We missed you! Thanks to everyone who attended today and congratulations to the half-marathon gang. Alas, we'll be out again the next two weeks. With that in mind, we appreciate prayers for our trip to visit the Mouse in a couple of weeks.

We dipped our toes into some deep waters today. I found this short clip of Tchividjian weighing in on the topic. Pay attention to his amazing comment at about 40 seconds.

We're freed from slavery to sin so that we can serve the living God! Have a great week.

J

"If righeousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."

I wanted to remind everyone that Breanna and I will be absent this Sunday. We're going to see Weird Al. When we tell people that, they ask if he's still alive. We'll find out Saturday night. Anyway, Alex Ogburn has agreed to lead the class. Ask him to try to not rip his jeans. For real. Ask him that.

We discussed justification by faith alone last Sunday. John Piper takes that discussion a step further and presents an amazing point.

 Have a great week.
J