The Prayer of the Lord

In our world of "instant" everything, I have found the discipline of prayer to be extremely difficult. Even at times I wondered what was ultimately the purpose since God is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful. However, Jesus had commanded us as his followers to pray and even assured us that He is ever interceding for us. Yet, more often than not prayer seemed like a thing people used to tell God what they wanted or what He ought to do for them. So as I looked through Reformation Trust, I came across The Prayer of the Lord by R.C. Sproul. This book analyzes the Lord's prayer found in the Gospels.
As the author points out, it is interesting that out of the many questions the disciples could have asked Jesus, the one question that was most important to them was, "Teach us to pray." For me that is comforting to know that even the disciples who spent time walking and being taught by Jesus needed to know how to pray. Even before Jesus begins to teach them how to pray, He tells them not to pray as hypocrites or with vain repetition. Also contained in the first chapter is the answer to the question, why pray since God is all-knowing?

At that point, I have to remind them that, as I mentioned above, prayer does change things, all kinds of things. But the most important thing it changes is us. (pg.14)

In the Lord's prayer the first thing we don't see- is ourselves. Jesus speaks of "Your name, Your kingdom, and Your will". The last thing that we see is ourselves which combats our self-worshiping generation. When one has grown so accustomed to looking out for himself before anyone else it is difficult to focus your attention on someone else. Yet, this exactly what Jesus is teaching us, to focus our eyes on the Father. There is nothing easy about taking up your cross and following, but this is what He has called us to. Why? because God is the ultimate treasure of our souls and only in Him can we find our greatest joy.
The second chapter envelops "Our Father in Heaven" and what fascinated me was the study done on the use of the word "Father" to refer to God in the Old Testament. There is not a single instance of any Old Testament writer referring to God as Father. Yet, just as shocking is the fact that Jesus referred to God as Father every time he prayed except once. He was issuing in a change in the way we can pray as adopted children.
If you are struggling with the discipline of prayer or are concerned with your own questions about "why pray?" then I would strongly encourage you to study the Lord's prayer and also to use this book as a guide to help you enjoy the sweetness of communion with "Our Father".

*I will receive this in hard copy for writing a blog review.

The Priest with Dirty Clothes

The Priest with Dirty Clothes is a children's book written by R.C. Sproul and illustrated by Justin Gerard about the theological concept of justification. It is based on the passage of scripture in Zechariah 3:1-5. The author attempts to illustrate for children the concept of Christ removing our filthy garments of sin while placing upon us his righteousness garments so that we can be accepted by the Father. The concept is of vital importance and although it is a difficult subject to explain, the visual of outward clothing will help children to understand the "dirt" or sin of the heart that cannot be removed by one's own power.
The story begins with Darby and Campbell who find themselves on a rainy day in Scotland playing in the puddles. Soon they are covered with mud and hurry home to surprise their Mother. She of course is not happy to see her children's filthy clothes and tells them to go clean themselves, while the children are rinsing their Grandfather arrives. He begins to tell them a story about Jonathan, a man who was just about to become a priest. He was so excited to receive his brand new clothing and because he had been told that in a week who would preach for the King and all his household.
The day that Jonathan traveled to the castle there was a great storm and it was raining very hard- his horse stumbled causing Jonathan to fall into a great puddle of mud. Although he had tried to protect his new clothes, they were filthy from the mud. How could he preach for the King now? He continued to hurry to the castle in hope that he would be able to wash himself before he had to preach. Unfortunately, this was not the case because on the moment of arrival the bells began to ring announcing that it was time for him to preach. In shame he walked before the King and all the people in his dirty clothes, only to find the court magician yelling hateful things at him! Telling him that he had no right to stand before the King and all the people in his dirty clothes.
The King was more patient and kind than the magician and listened to the reason why Jonathan had come to the palace in his dirty robes. Yet, he too told Jonathan that he could not stand in front of Him with such dirty clothes, however, he gave Jonathan a second chance to return in a week with his clothes cleaned and then he could preach to the King and to his household.
Jonathan left hopeful and hurried home to clean his clothes. Despite all his effort the clothes were still dirty and stained. He took them to be washed but the cleaner also could not remove the stains! What could Jonathan do? He was running out of options.
This is the same position we find for our filthy hearts, despite our best effort we are unable to clean it. There was one more person that Jonathan would appeal to for help, the Prince. The Prince is also the answer to our own filth problem because as you will see in the story, he was the only one who could help Jonathan's situation. Yet, he didn't clean Jonathan's old garments because he would do something even more necessary and special for Jonathan.  

Are We Together

"Are We Together" by R.C. Sproul analyzes the relationship between Protestants and Catholics. With the formation of the term "Evangelicals" both are commonly grouped together, so are we together? This book attempts to prove the differences between the two groups and the importance of why "evangelicals" need to know what they believe and why they believe it.
Sproul begins with the introduction; At Stake: The Gospel. Strong words for a topic of utmost importance. It is not just a talk about differing denominations there is something at stake in all of this- the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is divided into two sides, subjective and objective. The objective side envelopes things, such as, the divinity of Jesus or the virgin birth- to this side there is no disagreement between Protestants and Catholics; however, the subjective side envelopes how the benefits of Christ are applied to the believer and this is where the disagreement exists.
The disagreement begins with the question "What must a man do to be justified?" Both the Protestant and Roman Catholic would answer that justification is through faith; however, the Protestant would say through faith alone while the Roman Catholic would say that a person can have real faith but not be justified, that a person's justification depends on their sanctification. Whereas, the Protestant believes that justification is based on the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the believer.
R.C. Sproul argues against the idea that the Reformation has ended because he defines the Reformation as "a commitment to biblical truth, and as long as there are departures from biblical truth, we have to be involved in the task of reformation." (pg.8).
In Chapter One: Scripture, the topic underlined is the formal cause of the Reformation. Although the disagreement focused on justification, it began with a more serious argument. What or who has the authority? This issue is not easily described in a few sentences and the author has worked hard to show clearly why the two side differ in matters of canon, inspiration, and authority.
Chapter Two: Justification takes a closer and more in-depth look at the crucial difference between Protestants and Roman Catholics.
Chapter Three: The Church seeks to emphasize the different beliefs that Roman Catholics and Protestants have over the relationship of the church to salvation.
Chapter Four: The Sacraments highlights the variance between the Roman Catholic view and Protestant view of the sacraments. However, the author is clear to point out that even admist Protestant churches there is disagreement over the nature, function, and significance of the various sacraments.
Chapter Five: The Papacy covers the formal definition of papal infallibility. It contains valuable information on the history and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.
Chapter Six: Mary speaks of the agreements and disagreements that Roman Catholic's and Protestant's have about Mary the mother of Jesus.
The book is filled with valuable historical and doctrinal information about Protestants and Roman Catholics. In a world that desires to put all "Evangelicals" it is always important to remember the differences that are between the two groups. Although there may be important social views that are held in common, but for those we cannot sacrifice the truth of the gospel.


*I will receive a hard copy of the book for writing a blog review.

The Lightlings

The newest book that I have been reading is The Lightlings by R.C. Sproul. It is a short children's story based on I Jn. 1:5, "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." The story is well illustrated and has many pictures to entertain smaller kids.
The story's main character is Charlie, a little boy who finds he has a terrible fear of the dark. He asks his Grandpa to explain how he can conquer his fear of the dark. Quickly, he finds that not only are some people afraid of the dark, but that many people are afraid of- the light! This is where are story takes a twist and spiritual truths begin to appear in the story of the creatures called lightlings.
In R.C. Sproul's unique way, he begins to weave out the truth of redemption in a way that children can understand. He talks about the King of the Light and the creatures that he created. However, his creation would turn against him and disobey. Their action of disobedience would cause them to lose their light and be left in horrible darkness. However, their fear of the King would keep them hiding and stumbling in the darkness.
Will the lightlings ever be able to regain their light or will their fear and shame of their disobedience keep them paralyzed in the darkness? and will Charlie ever learn how he can overcome his fear of the darkness? As Grandpa continues his story you will be able to find the answer to these questions.
At the end of the story there are multiple questions to discuss further with children and verses from scripture that help to draw out the spiritual truths that are present in this delightful children's story.

*I will receive a hard copy of this book for writing a blog post.

Feed My Sheep: A passionate plea for preaching

The newest book on my blogging list is Feed my Sheep: a passionate plea for preaching. It is a compilation of various speakers, such as: John Piper, R.C. Sproul, and John MacArthur. It is written specifically for those in a Pastoral role and is an encouragement to continue in the role that God has called them.
The theme of the book can be seen in the first chapter with a quote by Martin Luther, "And even if there were no other sign than this alone, it would still suffice to prove that a Christian, holy people must exist there, for God’s Word cannot be without God’s people and, conversely, God’s people cannot be with- out God’s Word."
R. Albert Mohler, Jr. expresses that the first duty of a Pastor is to be a "servant of the word" he brings about a good point that usually when one describes a church the first things mentioned are various ministries, the missions program, the music, but rarely mentioned is the actually preaching. Yet, the preaching is the first priority of the Pastor. Christ will build his church but he will do it through His Word.
James Montgomery Boice reminds us that unbelievers think of preaching as "foolishness". They look at someone preaching the word of God and think of him as a fool because he has put himself into the box of absolute truth. He has closed his mind because he acknowledges that there is a Higher Being who has preserved His words to every generation, that He has a moral law and that man has broken his law and therefore are already condemned. Yet, the preacher also believes that there is hope because of the God Man, Christ Jesus who came to redeem those who were already condemned and through his death and resurrection that many would be brought to life through belief in this absolute and marvelous truth.
Derek W. H. Thomas writes about preaching using the expository method. His advice is practical and he offers a quote by John Calvin to summarize why preaching the word of God in this fashion is extremely necessary, "We owe to the Scriptures the same reverence as we owe to God, since it has its only source in Him and has nothing of human origin mixed with it."
R.C. Sproul stresses the aspect of the "teaching preacher" since this is a requirement of the pastoral office. However, many would rather have a Pastor who preaches entertaining sermons rather than one who teaches them the truth and doctrine of scripture. In order for the Pastor to faithfully teach the word of God then he must know it himself and also continue to be a constant learner.
I found this book extremely interesting to read because it reminds me how much we need to pray for those who are preaching in our churches. We must pray for the Pastor as he feeds the sheep that God has brought to Him. The job the Pastor has is extremely difficult because as we so most of the world looks at him as a fool and to often those in the church are looking for him to entertain them rather than to feed them. This book can easily be read by those who are not in a Pastoral role to remember to pray for their Pastor and then after reading it they can give it to their Pastor so it will encourage him to continue teaching and preaching the word of God.

*I will receive a hard copy of this book for writing a blog post.