Archive for April 14th, 2015

April 14, 2015

Gospel of Matthew, 2 Volumes (Boice Expositional Commentary)

Gospel of Matthew 02 CoverGospel of Matthew 01 CoverStatus: Available

Publisher Description:

The Gospel of Matthew, said James Montgomery Boice, is “the first of the Gospels, the longest, the most Jewish, the most evangelistic, and, in many was, the most compelling.”

This two-volume expositional and inspirational commentary on the Book of Matthew integrates rigorous scholarship and clear communication. It will inform and help a wide range of readers–from serious Bible students to interested laypersons–understand and apply the truths found in the text.

James Montgomery BoiceAbout the Author

James Montgomery Boice (1938-2000) was a successful inner city pastor and articulate spokesman for the Reformed faith in America and around the world. He was the pastor of Philadelphia’s historic Tenth Presbyterian Church (1968-2000) and his teaching continues to be aired on The Bible Study Hour radio and Internet broadcast. In 1996 he brought The Bible Study Hour, God’s Word Today magazine, Philadelphia Conference of Reformation Theology, and other Bible teaching ministries under the umbrella of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.

Under Dr. Boice’s leadership, Tenth Presbyterian Church became a model for ministry in America’s northeastern inner cities. When he assumed the pastorate of Tenth Church there were 350 people in regular attendance. At his death the church had grown to a regular Sunday attendance in three services of more than 1,200 persons, a total membership of 1,150 persons. Under his leadership, the church established a pre-school for children ages 3-5, a high school known as City Center Academy, a full range of adult fellowship groups and classes, and specialized outreach ministries to international students, women with crisis pregnancies, homosexual and HIV-positive clients, and the homeless. Many of these ministries are now free-standing from the church.

Dr. Boice gave leadership to groups beyond his own organization. For ten years he served as Chairman of the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, from its founding in 1977 until the completion of its work in 1988. ICBI produced three classic, creedal documents: “The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy,” “The Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics” and “The Chicago Statement on the Application of the Bible to Contemporary Issues.” The organization published many books, held regional “Authority of Scripture” seminars across the country, and sponsored the large lay “Congress on the Bible I,” which met in Washington, D.C., in September 1987. He also served on the Board of Bible Study Fellowship.

He founded the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals in 1994, initially a group of pastors and theologians who were focused on bringing the 20th and now 21st century church to a new reformation. In 1996 this group met and wrote the Cambridge Declaration.

Dr. Boice was a prodigious world traveler. He journeyed to more than thirty countries in most of the world’s continents, and he taught the Bible in such countries as England, France, Canada, Japan, Australia, Guatemala, Korea, and Saudi Arabia. He lived in Switzerland for three years while pursuing his doctoral studies.

Dr. Boice held degrees from Harvard University (A.B.), Princeton Theological Seminary (B.D.), the University of Basel, Switzerland (D. Theol.), and the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church (D.D., honorary).

A prolific author, Dr. Boice contributed nearly forty books on a wide variety of Bible related themes. Most are in the form of expositional commentaries, growing out of his preaching: Psalms (1 volume), Romans (4 volumes), Genesis (3 volumes), Daniel, The Minor Prophets (2 volumes), The Sermon on the Mount, John (5 volumes), Ephesians, Phillippians, and The Epistles of John. And many more popular volumes: Hearing God When You Hurt, Mind Renewal in a Mindless Christian Life, Standing on the Rock, The Parables of Jesus, The Christ of Christmas, The Christ of the Open Tomb, and Christ’s Call to Discipleship. He also authored Foundations of the Christian Faith a 740-page book of theology for laypersons. Many of these books have been translated into other languages, such as: French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

He was married to Linda Ann Boice (born McNamara), who continues to teach at the high school they co-founded.

Source: Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals

Book Details

Publisher: Baker Book House

Source: WTS Books

April 14, 2015

Grace Irresistible (John 6:41-47)

IMG_0017-0On Sunday, April 12, 2015, after a Scripture reading from Isaiah 55:1-11, Pastor Joe Troutman preached “Grace Irresistible” from John 6:41-47.

Sinners do not have the power to come to Jesus, but the Father, in his sovereign power, draws sinners to himself.

1. Origins—The Jewish leaders grumble upon hearing Christ’s claim to divinity in his declaration that he is the Bread of Life. His revelation refutes their misguided preconceived notions about his nature. Confession of the deity of Christ is essential to true knowledge him.

2. Bonds of Slavery—Christ declares the universal inability of sinners to come to him (See John 8:34; Romans 6:16). God views sin differently than many today. He demands perfect and perpetual obedience. We cannot do what is expected of us. Though humankind was created perfect, we fell in and with our first parents, and so we are powerless and offensive to God outside of Christ.

3. Drawn Out and Set Free—If all are unable to come to Christ, then how can anyone be saved? By being drawn by the Father. This is the doctrine of Effectual Calling. God in his own perfect timing infallibly calls all who were chosen. God teaches us (Isaiah 54:13) and changes our will to lovingly embrace him. Just as he powerfully intervened in Egypt, so does he powerfully intervene for us. He illuminates our minds to understand his word. When he calls, we do not wish to resist. As the grumbling of the Jews demonstrates, you cannot come to Christ on your own, but if you believe Jesus Christ is Yahweh who brings you out of bondage to sin, then you have been drawn.
Listen to “Grace Irresistible” (John 6:41-47) at mcopc.org.

April 14, 2015

Characteristics of the Ten Commandments, part 1 (Exodus 20)

Chuck CainOn Sunday, April 12, 2015 the adult Sunday School lesson focused on Exodus 20 and various characteristics of the Ten Commandments. Five of twelve topics were covered this week.

First, various preliminary items were covered such as the term “Decalogue” or “ten words.”

Second, the preamble and historical prologue in verse 2 was reviewed. This led to the third topic comprising the question as to whether Israel’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt was replaced by a new bondage under the law. But the law brought not a new bondage but a new freedom, the “law of liberty” (James 1:25). Several examples of this new freedom were provided. In particular, the liberation of negative commands was described as a fourth topic. One particular example highlighted was the command to Adam and Eve not to eat of the one tree. This “shall not” command included the freedom to eat of all other trees. If the command had been to eat only of one tree it would have been much more restrictive.

Finally, a discussion proceeded regarding the fact that laws always reflect the character of the lawgiver. Each of the Ten Commandments were discussed along with how each reflects certain attributes of God. — Chuck Cain

Listen to “Characteristics of the Ten Commandments, part 1″ (Exodus 20) at mcopc.org.