Haiti Relief Fund Through Sovereign Grace Ministries

Dear Friends,

I wanted to pass on to you this link through our family of churches as they have set up a relief fund to channel resources through some of our contacts already in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic. Here is a clip from their website:

"In response to the devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti on Tuesday, Sovereign Grace Ministries has activated our Disaster Relief fund to help deliver food, medicine, and other needed aid there. We will distribute the funds we raise primarily through existing ministry contacts we have on the island—both in Haiti and the Dominican Republic—who are already involved in relief efforts."

Please pray for the people of Haiti and the ministry relief workers there. If you are able to help financially you can click here: http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/About/FinancialSupport/DisasterRelief.aspx

Thank you so very much!

Why Plant Churches - Part 2 by Dave Harvey

Here is part 2 from Dr. Dave Harvey who over sees Sovereign Grace Ministries' church planting...great stuff...Posted at the Sovereign Grace Ministries' blog... http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/sovereign-grace-ministries-church-planting-dave-harvey.aspx

If you could buy stock in church planting, this would be a bull market. I’m serious. Church planting is white-hot right now. I think that’s terrific. But to keep it from simply becoming trendy, we must anchor it in something eternal. That’s where the Great Commission comes in.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)What makes the Great Commission so great? Is it the great sacrifices it calls for…or the great places we’re called to go? How about the great people it calls into action? I don’t think so. Our commission is great because it ignites church planting. But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. The Great Commission is not great simply because it results in the church. It’s great, first and foremost, because it originates from the finished work of Christ.The Gospel: The Point and Power behind Church PlantingRead it again. The Great Commission starts with the gospel. It fixes us on what the cross secured for Christ —“all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v. 18). Right out of the gate, God invites us to look at the fields of our community, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, and Asia with a new sense of confidence. Why? Because…and get ready for this…the contract is inked, the rights reserved, the deal sealed. The authority to put the gospel into circulation is secured by the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Think about it. The reality of that authority now forms the foundation for all local evangelism, church planting, and missions. Authorized for action, Christians can now serve God’s warrant to the world. We get to tell lost souls they are loved…and wanted by the Savior. That’s a jaw-dropper. That’s why we can’t get all hyped up on the latest way to do missions, the latest research, the latest means and methods of doing ministry. Because nothing we can concoct will ever prepackage the power of the gospel. Church planting shouldn’t start with techniques, technology or talking to territorial spirits, often the launching point for church planting in certain parts of the world. It must begin with our confidence in the explosive message embodied in Christ and entrusted to us in Matthew 28. It’s the one message that makes all the difference. And we’re the megaphone. But we have to remember that it’s not a static message that we just share when we have time. It’s not content we load into our cutting-edge curriculum. The gospel is a dynamic, unstoppable force that God has unleashed in creation through the cross. Dwight Moody once likened the gospel to a lion. Just pop open the cage and stand clear!The apostle Paul was supremely confident in the power of the gospel. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).Guaranteed SuccessAre you starting to see it? Our commission is great because the founder guarantees the fruit (Ephesians 2:10). Yep, the Great Commission is stamped with “results guaranteed!” How cool is that? And we know that a king’s edict, closed countries, recessions, wars, natural disasters, cultural opposition or indifference, even the failures of the workers, won’t stall the commission. Going forth with the message of God in the power of God means we are entrusted with a message that never stops. It is an unstoppable commission.If you’re like me, just thinking about this stuff gets the blood pumping. To think that we have a job to do and success is guaranteed because of the finished work of Christ is thrilling. We serve a great Savior who has established our call upon his great work—it must be a Great Commission!Tune in next time, when we’ll discover how the church and church planting are embedded in the Great Commission.

Cravings and Conflict - Message from CJ Mahaney

"Cravings & Conflict" by CJ Mahaney:

Cravings and Conflict from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Why Church Planting? By Dave Harvey

Hey folks...again as I have said on other posts...many folks shouldn't be blogging...I think I am in that group...so one of my tasks is going to point you to guys you should be reading. Here is one such man, Dr. Dave Harvey. He serves our family of churches in the area of church care and church planting. He has his doctorate from Westminster in the area of church planting and has overseen the planting of many churches. He brings much to the table for us all to learn from. Here is the a link to the first of several posts he is giving on answering the question... "Why Church Planting?" Enjoy! http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/Dave-Harvey-Why-Plant-Churches-(1).aspx

From "Na" to "NEXT"

The Young Adult Ministry of Sovereign Grace Ministries has changed its name from "New Attitude" to "NEXT." Likewise they have launched a new website - and with this a monthly "Webzine" this issue figuring Dr. Sinclair Ferguson as well as articles ofor "Guys" and "Gals" as well as an article about listening to music for the glory of God. Click here for the website as well as to register for this year's conference. http://www.thisisnext.org/

Vacationing For The Glory Of God

Hey Dads,

Planning your next family vacation? Check out this link from CJ's blog on how we can grow in intentional vacation planning! Trust it will serve you as you seek to serve your family! Take care,

-MH

When Do I Bring An "Observation"?

"I AM OFFENDED!!!" and so our hearts cry out! Someone has done something to you and whether they know it or not...you are now, "offended." And then a lingering question comes to us, "In a relationship when do I go to that person to let them know how I have been offended against them? When do I overlook? When do I go to them?" If you have ever found yourself in this situation, let me say to you, you are not alone! We have all experienced this. With this...I want to draw your attention to two outstanding messages on this topic, by Dr. Dave Harvey entitled, "The Surgeon, The Scalpel & The Saint In Sin." Dave helps us see other people's offenses against us both in light of the gospel - and likewise gives us very specific and helpful application of the gospel's message. Please listen to this message - you will be glad for the wisdom you will gain by doing so. Take care - MH

Burna Disaster Relief Fund

As disaster-relief efforts continue in Burma, Sovereign Grace Ministries has the opportunity to provide assistance through ministry relationships we have in that country. SGM has established a Burma Disaster Relief fund and are contributing financially toward aid efforts in Burma.

Any who would like to join us in this effort can donate to the Burma Disaster Relief fund via Sovereign Grace Ministries Website.Most importantly, please join us in praying that amid the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis, victims of the storm would receive swift and effective help, and that many in Burma would hear and respond to the gospel.


http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/About/FinancialSupport/Donations.aspx

Together For The Gospel - Day 1

Hey folks, as I can I will try to give some updates of my time here at T4G. The "official" conference will begin tomorrow, while the Sovereign Grace Ministries' pastors are here a day early to meet tonight and tomorrow morning. I had a great flight over with some time to fellowship with Steve Burchett who is the author of the article I have posted here below, he is a great brother. Likewise, when I got off the plane I was able to speak with C.J., Bob Kauflin, and Jeff Purswell as we were walking to the baggage claim. I am so very grateful for these men, as immediately when we saw one another, they began to ask about Anna, our kids, and the church here in KC. As I attempted to encourage them and thank them, they only encouraged me more. What a blessing it is to be part of this family of churches. I am looking forward to this evening, this should be a great time of fellowship, as I am really looking forward to playing "catch -up" with some of my other pastor friends from other SGM churches. Take care... -M

"Empty" Hoffman, The Question of Blogging & Great Leaders

As it is with many new projects or tasks in our lives - like a blog, for instance - there comes those questions... "Should I continue this? Is this helpful? Etc." Take this blog for instance, which is built around some of my random thoughts, interests and musings. It doesn't represent all of my interests, but some of them. And there are times when I have thought...should I continue this?

I mean think about this for a moment...blogs in general - I mean the really great ones are written by really intelligent people who have a lot of original thoughts that might help propel us into thinking new ways about life in general, or certain specific aspects of life. You know those types of people who are really smart...the ones that help the rest of us out. And to be perfectly honest (and to state the obvious), I don't know that I have ever, ever, ever had an "original thought" in my life...meaning...something of where I am not - in some fashion - standing on someone else's shoulders. And the exact time that I think I have an original thought...I remember it was something my son or daughter probably said to me.

Think out loud with me for a moment...think of all the really "smart" guys...think of all the really great theologians and pastors of our time...As I have thought about them...I think I have found something that is really common among many of them...they all have initials either after their last name or their first name is made up of initials...think about this with me for a moment... "J.I. Packer," "B.B. Warfield," "R.C. Sproul," "C.J. Mahaney," just to name a few.

.......But....God in His infinite kindness, and He Himself knowing full well the depth of my arrogance and pride, that I feel that I am only seeing just the surface of most of the time...he gave me parents who would give me a name that if you used my first two initials and just said it out loud it sounds like the word "Empty." My first name is Matthew and my middle name is Todd. When you put the letters, "M" and "T" together what do you have? "Empty." Now, I don't know about you...but personally I think that is very funny and very true when it comes to what can happen between my ears most of the time as I can go about my day. There are times when my beautiful wife will come up to me and see me staring off into space and will ask, "What are you thinking?" And then in that moment as I wipe the drool off my chin and thinking about it, many times the response is, "well...nothing really..."

SSSoooo this leads me to my original question about this blog...do I continue this or no? As I tried to fill my head that is "empty" with original thoughts, I came across this article written by Abraham Piper, "6 Reasons Why Pastors Should Blog" And it was his 3rd reason that I thought, "Yes, that I can do!" His third reason for blogging was to be a tool to "recommend" to others great resources to aid in other's development and growth.

And so, in my hopes of one day being counted a "good leader" I want to point you in the direction of some "great ones"...ones that I rely on to help fill my "empty" head. So in this endeavor to be a "good leader" here are two very great ones...one you might have heard of and, another you more than likely have not...(and they are both great, even though they don't use initials for their name)...the first Dr. Dave Harvey, who serves on the Leadership Team of Sovereign Grace Ministries. The other - the one that you more than likely have never heard of, is Arie Mangrum.
Dr. Harvey - in the attached link tells a story of true biblical greatness concerning a man Arie Mangrum, who though his church now no longer exists, he exemplifies true "biblical success." So from one pastor who desires to be a "good one" listen and learn from these two "great ones." http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Reference/LessonsfromChurchPlant.pdf

Casting Our Cares Upon God - Taking Care Of Our Souls

Dear folks, I wanted to forward this link to you from an interview with
Joshua Harris, C.J. Mahaney and Jeff Purswell. This particular interview is centered around the topic, "The Pastor and His Soul." Now, you might say, "But I am not a pastor...how is this to benefit me?" I would say that if you lead in any capacity...or if you ever find yourself "running thin"...you will find your own soul refreshed by their very practical encouragement through the gospel. Listen and then cast your soul upon God...and then don't forget to ask me, "How is it with your soul?" Thank you friends.
http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/page/Leadership-Interview-Series.aspx

Outstanding MP3 Resources Through Sovereign Grace Ministries

Hey folks,

Trust you all are having a great week! I have been spending this week in somewhat of an "in house" study retreat. We have a great opportunity this Sunday to hear from a Pastor's College Student - and so with this extra time, I have been immersing myself in study developing leadership training materials for our Care Group and Ministry Team leaders and as I have done so, I couldn't help but just remind you of the absolute wealth of material we have through the Sovereign Grace Ministries website! I want to encourage you that there are years and years of FREE MP3 messages on line at http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/ As I have been compiling resources by going through their database, I could not help but think of how blessed we are to have such rich gospel-centered teaching and preaching with its focus on applying God's word to our lives. Enjoy!

C.J., Discernment, Giving Correction & The Emergent Church

As you will note at the top of my blog page here it says, "random musings & reflections," and the title of this blog entry might appear to be random, but there are many connections I want you to make with the above stated title. I wanted to direct you to a particular blog entry by C.J. Mahaney on these particular topics, and more than the content (of which is extremely valuable and I believe personally very necessary to address), I want you to see how C.J. communicates doctrinal discernment and the necessity of bringing correction to particular voices in our culture. Here in, is both a bold proclaimation of the truth of the gospel without wavering while a humble pursuit of the mortification of the sin of self-righteousness in his own heart accompanied with a loving desire for see those who walk in doctrinal error to come to the truth and be restored by it.

Again, I cannot say it enough, I am so very, very grateful to God for this man and his humble, bold, biblical discernment that he brings to pastors such as myself. His blog subtitle has the phrase, "from the cheapseats," well then, from mine it is from the "much cheaper seats" - out in the parking lot per say. Here are some specific connections I want you to see, (I am sure there are more, because I am not that discerning - but here is what my thick melon absorbed)...

1. The purposefulness of how C.J. leads. He is specific and very intentional. This speaks to me in how to lead, not only as a pastor, but as a husband and father in how I speak and spend my time with my family. That we are not just transfering information, but in how it is done communicates volumes and without being intentional this way - many opportunities are lost, or not used as well as they could be.

2. The need for doctrinal discernment and specifically how C.J. does this. He communicates clearly how such doctrinal error effects and breaks ranks with "gospel" preaching and doctrine.

3. He is humble in how he directs us to other men and their study and how God has used them. Many "bloggers" might spend much time pontificating ideas that came from other men's studies, but C.J. as a man who is in active pursuit of humility not only gives credit to whom credit is due, but introduces us to another friend, Mr. Greg Gilbert, (click here for his article on Rob Bell's Nooma material).

4. He is humble and gracious in his obversations of those who fall into doctrinal error, such as Rob Bell, while exhorting us to uphold this man lovingly in prayer that he might come to a place of truly embracing the gospel and supremacy.

5. He promotes a biblically healthy self-suspecion of our own motives while critiquing others. Look at this quote from his blog:

"Whenever it’s necessary to critique erroneous content, I find it helpful to
remind myself of the mercy of God. Any insight I have learned has been learned
from others, and ultimately, this discernment has been graciously revealed by
God. In no way does my critique indicate intellectual or moral superiority on my
part. We must critique erroneous content, but our critique must be humble and
not self-righteous.If we accurately perceive God’s mercy, this will become an
occasion of thanking God for his mercy in our lives rather than an opportunity
for self-righteous communication." -C.J. Mahaney

6. Note how he is specific in the training of pastors on how we are to think. While directing us in content on a particular error he is training us how to think about these things, not just what to think about it. This is equipping leadership.

7. His critque is informed by the gospel, thus it has not only the passion of protecting the gospel, but he reveals the hope that there is for us when we fall into error that only comes from the gospel.

From the much cheaper seats - read, enjoy, be informed, and may we be increasingly changed,

Matthew

C.J. Mahaney has entered bloggerdom!

Hey folks, just to let you know...CJ has finally succumbed to establishing his own blog spot, here is the link: Enjoy! http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/

C.J. Mahaney on Conflict

C.J. has a prediction: Conflict is coming your way...soon... Read his exposition of James 4:1-2. This is outstanding and why I so love this man and feel so blessed to be a pastor under the care of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Read, apply, change and enjoy. Take care. -Matthew
ttp://www.reformation21.org/Counterpoints/Counterpoints/342/vobId__6296/

Father Abraham, RC Sproul and "Invest"

"Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age,

an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people."

(Genesis 25:8)

This morning in my devotions I was reading from R.C. Sproul's devotional magazine, "Tabletalk." (I have recently renewed my subscription after having let it lapse for several years, and I am glad to be receiving it again. If you are interested in it here is the link... http://www.ligonier.org/tt.php) In this morning's devotional on Genesis 25, RC spoke of Abraham's death, the grace of old age and his care to leave an inheritance for his children. In that, the challenge was Abraham's care to pass on to his children what he had so graciously received from the Lord.

As I read that, I found my heart going into two different places, specifically thinking about Dr. Sproul's investment into sound doctrine and then to the men of Providence Community Church who, through our Invest classes are investing themselves to grow in the knowledge and truth of God's word...and then the desire to pass that on to our children. Your example is not only continuously encouraging as a pastor, but humbling and provoking for me as a father.

This month, as we meet this Saturday, we are going to be talking about the attributes of God, more specifically the "God-centeredness of God" and our calling to walk out God-centered lives based on sound doctrine. As I have been preparing for this session, I have been reminded of the impact that Dr. Sproul has had on my life through his books. As I began to think deeper about his impact, it has been primarially through his books that display the attributes of God ("The Holiness of God," and "The Invisible Hand" to name a few). We are greatly indebted to him as a theologian, pastor and fellow brother in Lord, as he has made himself a willing tool in the Savior's hand to teach millions through his books and lectures. (As a sidenote, it is incredibly humbling to see that Dr. Sproul will be speaking at Sovereign Grace Ministries' Leadership Conference this year, if any would want to go, it is open to all, but I am sure space will fill up quickly, here is the link for the information on that, if you are interested...www.sovereigngraceministries.org)

With that I am also moved this morning in thinking about this Saturday, (as well as the past sessions and the ones to come) in seeing you men and your heart and love for the Savior and your desire to not only grow yourselves, but to also pass this on to future generations of Providence Community Church. Thank you for your example of loving God's word and seeking to apply it to your own lives. I don't know of a godlier group of humble, gracious brothers. I know at times discouragement can set in as we do the 9-5 day in and day out, but men your godly example of faithfulness to provide, your example to lead your children in loving the Savior, your devotion to his word and your desire to grow in leading your family in this...you are making a difference to give to your children what you have received of from the Lord. Your "sermon" of love and care to your family, while you, yourself growing in ever increasing desparation for Christ, speaks more than what you know. Thank you men for your example and keep changing, keep growing! As we walk through the seasons together, may we seek, by His grace to pass on a legacy of loving, applying and cherishing God's great, glorious grace. Take care, men and I look forward to fellowshipping with you this Saturday.

Your brother,

Matthew