6. The Gospel
We believe that the gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ—God’s very wisdom. Utter folly to the world, even though it is the power of God to those who are being saved, this good news is christological, centering on the cross and resurrection: the gospel is not proclaimed if Christ is not proclaimed, and the authentic Christ has not been proclaimed if his death and resurrection are not central (the message is “Christ died for our sins . . . [and] was raised”). This good news is biblical (his death and resurrection are according to the Scriptures), theological and salvific (Christ died for our sins, to reconcile us to God), historical (if the saving events did not happen, our faith is worthless, we are still in our sins, and we are to be pitied more than all others), apostolic (the message was entrusted to and transmitted by the apostles, who were witnesses of these saving events), and intensely personal (where it is received, believed, and held firmly, individual persons are saved).
I don’t think it works with the Max McLean audio, though. Also, you can’t add too many verses together in one file or the end verses will be left out. Three to four chapters usually works for me.
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,and set on fire by hell.For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God (James 3:5-9, ESV).
Memorizing Scripture makes meditation possible at times when I can’t be reading the Bible, and meditation is the pathway of deeper understanding.
Memorizing Scripture strengthens my faith because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ, and that happens when I am hearing the word in my head.
Memorizing Scripture shapes the way I view the world by conforming my mind to God’s viewpoint.
Memorizing Scripture makes God’s word more readily accessible for overcoming temptation to sin, because God’s warnings and promises are the way we conquer the deceitful promises of sin.
Memorizing Scripture guards my mind by making it easier to detect error—and the world is filled with error, since the god of this world is a liar.
Memorizing Scripture enables me to hit the devil in the face with a force he cannot resist, and so protect myself and my family from his assaults.
Memorizing Scripture provides the strongest and sweetest words for ministering to others in need.
Memorizing Scripture provides the matrix for fellowship with Jesus because he talks to me through his word, and I talk to him in prayer.
Homiletics Lesson #1 – When you have nothing to say, just repeat it louder and louder until the crowd is in a frenzy.
Homiletics lesson #3 – If you lack the authority that comes with the truth, garner authority by screaming and then staring into the camera like a serial killer.
He’s selling a book called “7 Simple Laws of Increase, Guaranteed”. I’m not a financial professional, but it would seem like step #1 should be “Don’t Mail Checks to Scam Artists Selling Books”.
After all the prosperity gospel stuff, Ed Young, Jr. seems like Charles Spurgeon.
Q. How do bank machines work? A. Well, let’s say you want 25 dollars. You punch in the amount and behind the machine there’s a guy with a printing press who makes the money and sticks it out this slot. Q. Sort of like the guy who lives up in our garage and opens the door? A. Exactly.
Q. What causes the wind? A. Trees sneezing.
Q. Why does ice float? A. Because it’s cold. Ice wants to get warm, so it goes to the top of liquids to be nearer to the sun. Q. Is that true? A. Look it up and find out. Q. I should just look up stuff in the first place.
Q. How come you know so much? A. It’s all in the book you get when you become a father.
Reverend Richard A. (Dad) Casteel passed into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, May 25, 2008, surrounded by his family, in Tucson, AZ. Rev. Casteel was born on July 6, 1912, in Kemmerer, WY. He served in the civil service for many years in Utah and California before answering the call to missions. Rev. Casteel served as a missionary with his family in Cuba, the Bahamas, and Mexico. He was preceded in death by his wife, and mother of his children, Phebe, and is survived by his 2nd wife, Louise; three sons, Robert (Carolyn), John (Marguerite), and Richard (Becky); two daughters, Micki (Carroll) and Patty (Les); his niece, raised as a daughter, LeRae; as well as 22 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed as the Patriarch of Faith by his adoring family but also by all those who lovingly called him "Dad" Casteel. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, May 30, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at Grace to the Nations, 6180 E Pima, Tucson, AZ 85712.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "Dad Casteel Memorial Fund" c/o Grace to the Nations, 6180 E Pima, Tucson, AZ 85712.
