Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Purifying Power of Living by Faith in Future Grace-John Piper
Five posts. thats quite pathetic for an average blog isnt it? i mean, even josh has more posts than that! HAHA
Anyway yes. Here i am beginning my first step to a long journey. this would probably be a weekly thing at most. my next few posts are most probably gonna be about a book im reading - "The Purifying Power of Living by Faith in Future Grace-John Piper"
Personally i feel it is a very blessed book. Even though ive only read a few chapters so far, it has deeply enriched me. and a primary reason for this is,
its soaked in scripture. (oh cool. i pressed bold and this thing came out. does that mean what i typer here is bolded? HA. the blogging adventures of Aaron) so im gonna assume its bolded. NOTE: one thing that ive learnt with my recent adventures of reading is that, a very good way to identify a good book, is that the book has just
SO MANY SCRIPTURES i really dunno how this bold thing works. i hope it works out. but really, what is the most blessed book in all the world? THE BIBLE. what text has the audacity to claim that it is infallible; that it is the living Word of God; that it can pierce asa far as joints from marrow, the intentions of the heart! There's only one book that fits all of that, and IS all of that. THE BIBLE! you know the question if you were stuck on an island, what would you take with you, pray that your answer, and mine too, will be the Bible.
A good book will be one centralized around the Bible, around the Word of God, around the GOSPEL. that all it tries to do, is teach, FROM THE BIBLE, and verify that WITH THE BIBLE. and maybe provide examples, more often than not, FROM THE BIBLE. if not, why read a "Christian" book! why not read some leadership book from some bookstore!
Today's speaker- Mr Wilson Phang gave a stunningly short sermon. that was when i realised what has happened to "In God we trust". i was speaking with my dad, and he told me, that in America, services last a MAXIMUM of ONE HOUR. hence sermons can only be a maximum of half an hour, OR LESS. and should it drag on, people will most definately complain. THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD BEING PREACHED! THE LIVING, ACTIVE WORD OF GOD! and it is compromised because of culture. I believe Mr Wilson Phang had a great message. His message was on "Christ, the Rock and Refuge" But unfortunately because of the culture he has been immersed in, he timed himself too well. But the reason for bringing him up is to comment on something he said.
He, was a trained psychologists. And he said that for a long time after he was trained, he made a very very big mistake. he began to rely more on what he has learnt to teach people when they came to him, what he had learnt to even preach! BUT THEN, he said this. (paraphrased cause i obviously dont remember exactly what he said)-"But i was wrong! terribly wrong! If you have any troubles, any worries, any issues in life. should i teach about marriage or managing adolescence, there is no better way, THIS(holding up the bible in one hand) is what you should turn to!" And he couldnt be more right. The Bible is Sufficient! there's a reason why its called the Holy Bible you know. and so, i shall finally begin about the book-"The Purifying Power of Living by Faith in Future Grace-John Piper"!
So far, ive read 10 chapters of the book. Let me just give you a brief introduction to what the book is about.
The author defines Future grace as this- grace that is shown to you from this point on, meaning as i complete this sentence, till i see God in heaven and am glorified! and even then i believe i will still be enjoying future grace, the greatest grace of all, to be glorified in heaven, spending eternity with my King and my Lord!
Also, Faith is that which Justifies, but also that which purifies, or sanctifies. IT IS 2 DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT Faith with justifies necessarily sanctifies. I believe i will explain my thoughts on this in time to come. you know, its so late. so i think i'll continue my post about the book tomorrow or something.
(i apologise for the long posts, and longer posts to come, but really, if you think this is long, wait till you see the sermons of Spurgeon! I will not confirm to the patterns of this world where they are wanting messages which tickle their ears!)
a short disclaimer. My posts are most definately NOT to make myself look noble or anything of the sort. for all that i have, and am, is from Christ and in Christ. Should you be edified by these, Praise be to God, for He has chosen to use a wretch like me. Soli Deo Gloria-All Glory to God!
came at10:13 PM
