YOUR SATURDAY SEVEN
Compiled By: Rob Martinez / July 31, 2021
1. YES, PREACHING DOES CHANGE PEOPLE.
By: Mike Bullmore, 7.26.21
I echo the cry of Paul, “For I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16) An excellent article put out by 9 Marks this week! Excerpt: “This is why God has called us to preach. Natural, unregenerate man comes to life by the Word of God. And having been brought to life by the Word, the regenerate man continues to be sustained and nourished by God’s Word. Peter said it so well. In a moment of spirit-inspired brilliance he spoke this truth, “Where else would we go, you have the words of life” (John 6:68).”
2. DIFFERENCE BELONGS AT HOME.
By: Scott Hubbard, 7.29.21
What an awesome article that was put out this week in Desiring God. Excellent read, and one that I will truly read again. Excerpt: “We’re increasingly familiar today with the first distortion, in which a husband or father hides abuse beneath “authority.” He treats headship as a license to bully, belittle, and burden his family, rather than as a calling to carry the heaviest cross. Passing the crown of thorns to his wife and children, he chooses one of gold for himself instead. Little wonder that some of those taught in his classroom requires years of patient instruction before finding any good in authority.”
3. THREE REASONS PASTORS MUST PURSUE HOLINESS.
By: Aaron Menikoff, 7.29.21
God has been challenging me personally in recent days on my view of Biblical holiness and how it pertains to the Christian. In this article, Menikoff shows how it applies to the pastor also because the pastor is first a Christian. Excerpt: “Pastor, you know better than anyone the temptation to merely appear godly (2 Tim. 3:3). You stand up every week before a congregation who expects you to exemplify Christian virtue. Don’t excuse yourself from the fight, not for a second. Holiness is not a mask we wear; it’s the path we walk. This is true for the pastor because it is true for every Christian.”
4. HOW TO: HAVE GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS WITH ATHEISTS.
By: Dr. Ted J. Cabal, 7.29.21
A simple reminder of some things to consider when having great conversations with Atheists. Dr. Cabal is professor of philosophy of religion at Soutwestern Seminary. Excerpt: “In conversations with atheists, I try to be patient and let the Holy Spirit do His work. Perhaps I can contribute to their realizing their need for Christ. And always prayer is essential. I continue to pray for some atheists years after I last saw them. The harvest is ultimately the Lord’s.”
5. THE BEREANS HAD NO BIBLES: RE-ENVISIONING ACTS 17.
By: Griffin Gulledge. 7.31.21
The premise of this article has been something that I have also always thought of. If the Bereans did not have Bibles, what did they use to discern what the apostles were stating was in fact true? The Old Testament scriptures. (Acts 17:10-12) Excellent article! Excerpt: “The goal of emulating the Bereans is to bring about and strengthen faith. It is Christ’s person and work preached from the Scriptures that saves and sanctifies. The Bereans had no Bibles. But they did have Christ. We have the Bible. And together, we should seek to find Christ there, and thereby be transformed into his image (2 Cor. 3:17–18).”
6. COURAGE TOMORROW BEGINS WITH A DECISION TODAY.
By: J.D. Greear, 7.26.21
A quick read from Greear, but one that will hopefully help someone today. Excerpt: “Courage in the lions’ den comes from consistent prayer. Daniel didn’t summon up courage the moment he was thrown in the lions’ den. His courage was the result of years and years of small, faithful acts of discipline that resulted in a pattern of faithfulness.”
7. YOUR FRIDAY FIVE.
By: Dr. David L. Allen, 7.30.21
As I mentioned in the first week, the seventh article will be Dr. David Allen’s “Your Friday Five” that he posts each Friday. There is one in particular that he recommended that I want to point out and that he wrote himself, an article entitled, “A Word to Young Preachers about Pride.” He of course has five articles from various resources, but be sure you read the third one!
