Credo’s Cache

Each week we will be highlighting important resources. Check back each Friday to see what we have dug up for you. From this week’s cache:

1. A Warning Against Division in the Church: By R.C. Sproul – Sproul notes: “What is it Jesus sees here in John? It is a spirit that is contrary to authentic discipleship. He sees a narrow exclusiveness, a parochial attitude that basically says, ‘If he’s not a part of our group in its purest form, he has nothing whatsoever to do with us.’ Does that sound familiar? Do we not commit this same offense again and again? Today, we might say, ‘He may claim to be a Christian, but he’s not really Reformed so we can’t trust him. Or, he’s not an Episcopalian or a Lutheran like we are, so we can’t trust him.'”

2. How Logic Can Help Save a College Student’s Faith: By Dave Sterrett – Sterrett points out that: “The inward witness of the Holy Spirit convicts them (college students) of the reality of God when life gets difficult. Logic and reason are tools that can certainly help prevent our sons and daughters from leaving the faith.”

3. Freed to Make Jesus Famous: By Brandon Smith – This is a very interesting read. Smith notes: “In any discipleship relationship, whether our children or our neighbors, it is imperative that we continually point them to Jesus. And when we find ourselves getting rusty in this work, that’s when we need the gospel all the more.”

4. The Good News of Final Judgment: By Jono Linebaugh – Dr. Linebaugh points out that: “The champions of justification by grace through faith, from Paul to the Protestant reformers, have always confessed that Christ “will come again to judge the living and the dead.” For many, however, this double affirmation of justification by grace and judgment according to works raises an honest question: If Jesus is the basis for our justification, how can our works play a role in our judgment?”

5. Reflections of a New Pastor: By James Owens – This is a must read for pastors. Owens says: “This past Sunday, I stood before a congregation that I’m just beginning to know and love, and I took vows before them to do what all the seminary training in the world can’t accomplish. In fact, as I stood there I vowed to do the impossible. At least, apart from the grace of God.”

Matt Manry is the Director of Discipleship at Life Bible Church in Canton, Georgia. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Religion at Reformed Theological Seminary and a Masters of Arts in Christian and Classical Studies from Knox Theological Seminary. He blogs regularly at gospelglory.net.