This is More than a Garage Sale, these Cups Tell a Story

Erik Raymond —  February 2, 2012

btw, Pats by 4 on Sunday.

I enjoy visiting friends homes and looking for the most obscure coffee cup when they offer. It is fun to try to complete the narrative of their lives from their coffee cups. For better or for worse, cups preach. Maybe the guy is generous with his money or blood (still strange for a coffee cup) or faithful at work. Whatever the case, they tell us a story.

In Ezra 1 we have cups that tell a pretty profound story.

After conquering Babylon the powerful king Cyrus makes a decree to send a bunch of the captive Jews back home to Jerusalem (538BC). Why? To build the temple and get worship going again in Israel. It is amid this dramatic announcement we read:

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What is Legalism and why is it so bad?

Erik Raymond —  February 2, 2012

I have been thinking a lot about this lately in Colossians.  And the context in Colossians states that we as believers are already ‘complete in Christ’ we lack nothing (Col. 2.10). God has given us everything we need in Christ Jesus.

In this admittedly long post I want to highlight some of the dangers of legalism.

What is Legalism?
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Faith is laying hold of Jesus Personally

Erik Raymond —  February 1, 2012

“Faith is laying hold of Jesus personally. There is no merit in it. It is not another ‘work.’ Its value is not in itself, but entirely in its object, Jesus Christ. As Luther put it, ‘faith…apprehendeth nothing else but that precious jewel Christ Jesus.’ Christ is the Bread of life; faith feeds upon Him. Christ was lifted up on the cross; faith gazes at Him there.”(John Stott, The Message of Galatians, p.82)

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An Open Letter to Matt Chandler (Some thought on ER2)

Byron Yawn —  February 1, 2012

(The following is a guest post by Byron Yawn)

 

Dear Matt Chandler,

Will you please accept the invitation for the next Elephant Room?  

Sincerely,

Evangelicalism

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Knock it Off with the Sandcastles

Erik Raymond —  January 31, 2012

Recently, I was speaking with a friend who is a missionary to the Dominican Republic. At some point during our conversation I asked him about any particularly discouraging aspects of his ministry.

His answer surprised me. He confessed that the most discouraging aspect of ministry in his region is the other missionaries.

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The Enjoyment of God is the Highest Capability of the Soul

Erik Raymond —  January 30, 2012

I have been reading through Thomas Watson’s The Body of Divinity and have been so encouraged. I do hope these words of truth likewise impact you:

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Love Lustres at Calvary

Erik Raymond —  January 29, 2012

Yes. Yes. A thousand times Yes.

My Father,

Enlarge my heart, warm my affections,
open my lips,
supply words that proclaim ‘Love Lustres at Calvary.’
There grace removes my burdens
and heaps them on thy Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote the man,
thy fellow;
There thy infinite attributes were magnified,
and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
and infinite punishment was endured.

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