Riverdale Bible Study Tonight

John 7:28 - Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

Not referring to God is true, I've found that JFB had it best in saying "He that sent Me is the only real Sender of any one."

I don't know why Tante Lyna did not study this clearly, causing much confusion. As for whether they knew Jesus (v.28) or not (v.27), the answer was already in v.17. There is no need for more sayings. No need to think of v. 28 as a question (as Poole did as well), which would be a form of rebuke because it is less rebuke more revelatory teaching here, and the Jews weren't offended by the rebuke but by the divine claim. The same answer goes for v.24, where Lyna put more questions than answers on what is "outward appearance" vs. "just" judgment, causing N2 to conclude a devastating explanation that it is between human judgment and God judgment (then nobody knows which one is God's, since everyone can claim that). Again, answer in v.17 would be sufficient.

One good thing out of this is that I can learn what not to do and what to do in teaching a Bible study.

The reason I don't eagerly respond this time: I want to see how it is with them. Some don't care to know, some is just plain ignorant, some don't seek after the righteousness eagerly. If that is the case, I should just keep quiet and answer only occasionally. If it is about "in season, out of season", then I am in season, doing my very best - silence is a virtue, that is what I am preaching. Secondly, the Lord did say something about not giving the dogs and swines that which is precious.

Pray for Jeniffer and her family.

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Encountering with Third Mill.

It appeared to be a marketing plot, not in a negative sense.

I was contacted via email by Joseph Creech (junior, the father is a pastor, if I heard correctly), Third Mill's development officer. I treated them (him and his wife Seydi) to Malaysian Grill while on my break between classes.

We exchanged some info. Creech asked me to look for someone who might be interested to "donate" to Third Mill's cause. I didn't promise that except that I plan to use Third Mill's material in New York City ministry. It should be understood that I am not a fan of those fund raising type of movements in church or otherwise, and those moved by God will give for sure, as seen in Redeemer, which we talked more about.

Note of interest is they even have a microfilm of the Bible in Russian. Though it says "The Holy Bible" very clearly with larger fonts. It is perhaps the first time I've seen a microfilm. I've always wanted to use one of those things. Perhaps I should buy one from him as collection, if it is not expensive.

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The Fault of Cover Designer

I think it is a matter of integrity for a cover designer to match creativity with content. If a lot of graphic effects are used to design a cover while the content is simply a stand up lecture without any visual aid, I believe it is dishonest and lazy if not ignorant of the cover artist to not honestly study the content of the material.

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Salvation is free, but costly

In response to

Soteriology 101: Our salvation was not free. Someone paid dearly for it.

Our salvation is free! and Yes, someone paid dearly for it.

Dr. Svigel basically denies the notion of "free", such as free food, free trip, etc. which led to such conclusion.

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Eastside 10:30AM Service 2014-11-30 Sermon by Rev. Timothy Keller

The First Sunday of Advent

Reflection:

From hymn:
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. ~ William Cowper, 1774

From a poem:
God all-bounteous, all-creative, Whom no ills from good dissuade.
Is incarnate, and a native Of the very world he made. ~ Christopher Smart (1722-1771), The Nativity. A crazy poet who often fell on his knees in public and prayed. Was confined in an asylum.

Hymn:

As with Gladness Men of Old
Words by: William Chatterton Dix, 1860
Music by: Conrad Kocher, 1838

Prayer of Adoration concluded by the Lord's Prayer

Doxology (see previous note on this)

Silent Praise and Thanksgiving

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 9:2-7

Prayer of Confession:
O Lord, we have not longed for your coming and your kingdom as we ought. We have not denied ourselves, taken up the cross and followed you. Instead, clinging to the things of this world and counting them dear, we have grown callous to the needs of the poor, the lonely and the suffering. We have not cried out for justice nor cared about those who are without Christ and without hope in this world. Lord, forgive us for our offenses and grant that by the power of your Spirit, we might live in light of your coming again.

Private Confession

Song of Renewal:
Lo, How a Rose 'ere Blooming (German hymn, melody arranged by Praetorius. 16th century)

Prayers of the People

Hymn:
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Latin antiphon, 12th century
Plainsong, 13th century

The Peace of God

Announcements

Scripture Reading - Matthew 1:1-17

Sermon - The Mothers of Jesus - Dr. Timothy Keller
First sermon in series: The Messiah According to Matthew (Advent Series)

Notes:
Note "mothers" of Jesus. Plural. Not many would preach on a family tree. Keller noted that it is like a resume. However, the people of note were the women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth & Uriah's wife.

Offertory - Magnificat - M. Scot Sherman/arr. Jennings
Laura Pfortmiller, soprano

Hymn:
All Praise to Thee, Eternal Lord
Words by Martin Luther, 1524Music by Robert Schumann, 1839

Benediction

Dismissal

Postlude

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A Response to the Late Rev. David Chen

He once said, if there is no best option, second best is also fine.

I have stated that the statement itself is erroneous.

Now, I have a far more late Dr. Gisbertus Voetius as perhaps my supporter or vice versa.

Dr. Voetius: Good added to good makes it a greater good, and so more desirable; and, therefore, evil as evil, or a lesser good, which is comparatively evil, cannot be the object of desire.

From Rev. Gilbert Tennent's "The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry".

I have just started reading Tennent's sermon and I have to admit a lot of resounding yes' in my head reading this while comparing to some churches and CCCNY in particular. At one point, Tennent expressed full support to seek after better preacher, better church, if there is one, for it is both "lawful and expedient to go from them[those who provides little or no benefit] to hear godly persons".

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Crowd Funding

Now with internet and "rich" countries, we have crowd funding such as: http://www.gofundme.com/

This way, virtually anything from paying hospital bills to a project of any sort can globally be aided.

The idea is good and I can also see how we are getting closer to the time of the Tower of Babel.

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On Proper Fame

One should self-reflect, when people start liking even the nonsense one does simply because one is famous.

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孟子与圣经

孟子是整个东方世界中间良心论最靠近圣经的思想的人。-唐崇荣 (罗马书#75)

有关于性善论

《孟子·論四端》

惻隱之心,人皆有之;羞惡之心,人皆有之;恭敬之心,人皆有之;是非之心,人皆有之。惻隱之心,仁也;羞惡之心,義也;恭敬之心,禮也;是非之心,智也。

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On Evolution

Evolution cannot explain a lot. By mere similarities between man and ape, it derives vast theories. The fools look for the similarities, the wise look for the differences. - Paraphrase from Dr. Tong's Roman Series #75.

所以只知其同而不知其异的是笨人,能知道不同在哪里的人才是聪明人 (唐崇荣)

I've also had similar experience, but not with VCD & CD (per Tong's example). It was when I first learned of DVD and thought it was the same as VCD. Though they look similar, but they are not the same.

Although, it appears that Dr. Tong derived his conclusion from a statement from Thomas Henry Huxley & Herbert Spencer, who are both evolutionists, that said "Of moral purpose I see not a trace in nature". Although, I found that Spencer voiced the opposite, which means Huxley was against Spencer on this.

Posted in Biology, Quotes, Theologization | 1 Comment