October 31st was Reformation Day, the day we remember Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. The theses, among other things declared “The Church’s true treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Here are 10 things you should know about the Protestant Reformation.
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What will the American church look like in 20 years? I think this guy may be right:
Pastor and author John MacArthur once shared a story from his childhood when his dad told him “Son, we are going to take The Lord’s Supper and we’d like for you to participate.” The young John MacArthur said “Well, I hope they’re not having peas!” This prompted his dad to have John wait a while before he participated in the ordinance of The Lord’s Supper!
Children need to have an understanding of The Lord’s Supper before participating in it. The question is, at what age do they understand? There is no “age of accountabil- ity” or explicit age given in the Bible. So when does a “childlike faith” become “saving faith”? It varies from child to child based on several factors including how much teaching on the subject the child has been exposed to, their rate of maturity, and most important – the work of the Holy Spirit revealing spiritual truth in their lives.
Ultimately, the decision of when the time is right is up to the parents of a child. Parents know their children best, and are responsible for teaching their kids the truth of God’s Word (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Parents should approach this decision thoughtfully and prayerfully.
Here are some important things for parents to keep in mind when determining if the time is right for their children to participate:
Does the child understand and can they explain, to some degree, the significance of The Lord’s Supper?
It’s not something to rush into. The Lord’s Supper doesn’t grant them salvation or gain them special favor with God. It’s a way to, by symbolism, remember and celebrate the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Waiting until a child has a better understanding can likely add to the significance of them participating when the time is right.
It’s also not something to delay too long. The Lord’s Supper is a starting point, not something to be strived for and achieved. As Christians, we’ll spend the rest of our lives gaining a deeper understanding of The Lord’s Supper. Children shouldn’t be expected to know it all, but rather a working understanding of the basics.
In our family, we waited until our children were baptized. This seemed like a natural time, and made sense to our kids. When they had grasped the gospel, and made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ through baptism, they could also articulate the significance of The Lord’s Supper and participate. This has happened at different ages for each of my kids. The youngest being 7 years old.
When you feel like the time has come for your child to participate, you might find this article to be a helpful tool. Also, consider discussing the following passages of Scripture with your child: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32, Luke 22:14-23, Mathew 26:26-29
Check out this month’s issue of Grace Notes, Grace Bible Fellowship’s monthly newsletter: GRACE NOTES SEPT 2016
I’m not a “tea-totaller” which means I don’t practice complete and total abstinence from alcohol, but I’m pretty darn close. The number of alcoholic beverages I’ve had in the last 10 years is not too many more than the number of champagne “toasts” I’ve participated in at weddings. That’s not a boast about how strong I am in the face of temptation, quite the opposite actually. I’m weak. I proved at an early age and into adulthood that I was not responsible with alcohol. So for me, due to my own limitations and weakness, social drinking, outside of a controlled accountable environment in limited quantity, is not going to be something I do.
I do however have friends, some who serve as leaders in our church, who do drink regularly, responsibly. I respect that. And I respect them. I may not please some people with my positions on alcohol consumption because I intentionally try not to go to either extreme. I won’t, as some do, condemn everyone who has a drink. It’s just not biblical, right or necessary. Nor will I ignore the clarity from Scripture regarding drunkenness, or the clear dangers associated with alcohol abuse. I’ve seen too many lives lost, homes wrecked, and have experienced first hand the consequences of being irresponsible with alcohol. I want to be able to help people who struggle in this area, not be a stumbling block. Also, I can’t condone unlawful underage drinking because Romans 13 teaches to “submit to governing authorities” (and don’t young people have enough challenges and pressures without adding the potential of an addiction to their lives before the age of 21?)
Also, and this is just a practical, personal thing/added bonus–Drinking is expensive! HA. Think how much money I’ve saved at ballparks, stadiums, and restaurants??? I’m not trying to be a hater, Your money, is yours and if your doing it responsibly, it’s your thing, enjoy! But when I waste money it’s on important things…like fishing lures and other tackle! 🙂 One more, ever since about 35 years old, I’ve had to watch what my calorie intake because my metabolism is no longer like that of a gnat! I heard early on “don’t drink your calories.” I’m tall and have less muscle than a canned ham, so I hide weight gain pretty well, but I’ve got a feeling if I did drink regularly, even responsibly, I’d get unhealthy quick and start to looking like a snake who swallowed an egg! No thank you, I’m saving my calorie intake for BLUE BELL, Whataburger, and of course the occasional Dr Pepper!
Anyway, I say all this to share a post with you that I shared with some college students regarding Christians and alcohol consumption. The post is written by pastor Kevin DeYoung who I really respect, and is titled ‘CHRIST DID NOT DIE FOR YOU TO DO KEG STANDS.’ It is written with college students in mind, but offers balanced biblical wisdom for everyone who’s thinking through this subject. Please take a few moments and check it out: https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/kevindeyoung/2014/08/26/christ-and-keg-stands/
Do you know who Fred Elliot is? …No? I didn’t either. But I do know who JIM ELLIOT is–the missionary martyr who lost his life in the late 1950’s trying to reach the Auca Indians of Ecuador. Jim Elliot had movies made about him and his missionary friends! I also know who Elisabeth Elliot is–Jim’s widow who’s faith in Christ and perseverance has inspired so many though her books, Through The Gates of Splendor and Passion and Purity, just to name a couple. But who’s Fred Elliot? Fred was a man who very simply, but also gloriously, discipled his children.
Please take time to read the following post…
The most helpful book I’ve ever read on gaining an eternal perspective regarding finances is a short book by Randy Alcorn titled The Treasure Principle. I highly recommend reading the book. But, if you can view the 10 minute vid below, and read the ‘Six Keys To Understanding The Treasure Principle’ that follow, you’ll have a good idea of the teaching in the book.
The Treasure Principle: You can’t take it with you, but… you can send it on ahead.
“Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.” —Jesus, Matthew 6:20
The six keys:
1. God owns everything; I’m His money manager.
We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted—not given—to us.
2. My heart always goes where I put God’s money.
Watch what happens when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.
3. Heaven—the New Earth, not the present one—is my home.
We are citizens of “a better country–a heavenly one.” (Hebrews 11:16)
4. I should live today not for the dot, but for the line.
From the dot—our present life on earth—extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven.
5. Giving is the only antidote to Materialism.
Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him.
6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.
God gives us more money than we need so we can give—generously.
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Original post can be found here. Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of over fifty books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries.
Also you can follow Todd Wagner @wordsfromwags and find more of his teaching at http://realtruthrealquick.com
Pastor Roy Layman 