Derek Thomas Swimming with the Elephants through Ezekiel

Ezekiel is a prophet we tend to pay little attention too. He ministered during Israel’s darkest hour when God gave his people over to the Babylonians, and the great era of the Israelite nation vanished. Ezekiel also gives us some of the most repulsive and difficult portions of Scripture to understand.

Derek Thomas, in five addresses, gives a fascinating overview of the key themes and aspects of the book of Ezekiel. These were delivered in 2007 for the Spiritual Enrichment Seminars at Independant Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia.

Derek Thomas on Ezekiel page >>>

J. I. Packer Interview

J. I. Packer is interviewed by Kevin Boling on the Knowing the Truth radio program.  Packer and Boling discuss the recent publication of the book, “In My Place, Condemned He Stood.”

J. I. Packer Interview at Sermon Audio >>>

Why Does Hebrews Cite the Old Testament Like That? Don Carson

Don Carson looks at some difficult passages in Hebrews and does a wonderful job sifting through the challenges that these texts present to us. 

Hebrews 1:5,6
Hebrews 1:8,9
Hebrews 5:5,6

The last message on Hebrews 5, the priesthood of Melchizedek, is particularly enlightening as it provides a framework for understanding the Levitical law as compared to the freedom from the law that was brought by Christ as the ultimate and final priesthood.

These three lectures were delivered for the J. B. Gay Lectures at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005.

Hard Texts: Why does Hebrews Cite the Old Testament Like That? page >>>

The Faithful Writer Conference

Matthias Media and CASE (Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education) organized a small conference for writers which was held at New College, University of South Wales.

I listened to a few of the session, though not all.  Writers may find some help in this conference.  Tony Paynes introductory address, called ‘The Faithful Writer’ stood far above all the rest.

I had high hopes for this conference.  Writing is an important skill that should be elevated in churches.  We have the most important messages to bring, and there should be great concern in the Christian community for developing sharp writing skills.  And to be honest, far too many Christian “writers” are terrible at it, and are only saved by good editors.

Unfortunately, overall, I felt the conference itself could have used a good editor.  There was some very helpful information provided, though sadly overshadowed by the unimportant and unhelpful.

I hope for the next conference the Christian publishing community rallies around these faithful folks with support and eager participation.

The audio quality varies from good to awful, particularly for the panels and Q&A. 

The Faithful Writer Conference audio page >>>

Discussion about the influence of J. Gresham Machen

The folks at Christ the Center engage in a fascinating discussion with biographer Dr. Darryl G. Hart about the life and influence of J. Gresham Machen.  Hart is the author of ‘The Defender of the Faith’, his biography of Machen.

Machen is a fascinating character in church history.  He was NT professor at Princeton Seminary, and left due to it’s slide toward liberalism, and founded Westminster Theological Seminary. After founding the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions he was defrocked by the liberal leaning PCUSA, which led him to form the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). 

Machen’s left a great literary legacy, not the least of which is ‘Christianity and Liberalism’ which is a classic, and still greatly needed to combat liberalism in the church today.

J. Greshem Machen discussion CTC page >>>

Passionate Partners for Life

This is an excellent series of messages on marriage, given at a marriage retreat for Sovereign Grace Fellowship.  The speaker is Steve Shank, pastor of Sovereign Grace Fellowship, Gilbert Arizona.

Steve brings a great mix of deep truths seldom brought forth in marriage courses, and practical application mixed with humor.  This is very enriching instruction and exhortation. 

Passionate Partners for Life page >>>

Collections: Maurice Roberts

A pastor in the Free Church of Scottland, Roberts is a solid and insightful preacher.  He was an editor of the Banner of Truth magazine from 1988 to 2003.  My first introduction to him was an impossible-to-put-down book that was a collection of articles he had written for Banner of Truth, and these books are listed in a previous post. He currently ministers to at Iverness Greyfriars.

Listed are a number of places on the web to find his sermons on audio:

Monergism >>>

FCP Audio >>>

Sermon Audio >>>

Iverness Greyfriars >>>

Doing Business & Pleasing God: Wayne Grudem

Wayne Grudem gave 4 messages on the subject of working in the business world.  It was given at Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg, MD in 2004.

Private Property and Producing Goods and Services
Buying, Selling, Profit and Competition
Corporations, the Stock Market, and Investing
Lying and Truth-telling in Advertising

Doing Business & Pleasing God page >>>

Psalm 138 series by Alan Cairns

Pastor of Faith Free Presbyterian Church, Dr. Alan Cairns, preached a fascinating and in depth series of 9 sermons on the 8 verses of Psalm 138. 

138:1  One Hundred Percent Christians
138:2  Christ Centered Worship
138:2  God Magnifying His Word Above All His Name
138:3  Timely Answers to Urgent Prayers
138:4-5  The Universal Triumph of Christ & the Gospel
138:6  The Lord’s Regard for the Humble and the Rejection of the Haughty
138:7  Personal Revival
138:8  All’s Well That Ends Well
138:8b  A Cry from the Heart

Alan Cairns on Psalm 138 page >>>

Parenting by Grace: Mike Bullmore

This is an excellent seminar on parenting.  If you know anything about Mike Bullmore you will want to listen to this with the notes and a pencil or pen.  Bullmore has a great way of providing the big picture of our purpose in parenting before getting into more practical suggestions.

Unfortunately, the audio quality isn’t the best on some of these recordings.  Do what you can to listen because it’s worth the work.

Parenting by Grace  >>>