Tim Keller —

There are many ways in which [Bloodlines] will help the church in its struggle with the sin of racism.

First, John takes us to all the biblical texts that speak most directly to the subject of race. But—and this was most helpful to me—John does not stop there.

He then goes to most of the central doctrines and themes of our faith and shows the implications of each one for our understanding of race. He demonstrates how Jesus’s proclamation of the kingdom, his substitutionary atonement, the doctrine of conversion, of union with Christ, of justification by faith—all transform our attitude toward our own race and culture as well as to those belonging to other races and cul…

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Titus 3:4-6 —

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior

Three words. That’s what we should take away from this passage. Three simple words that form the grand slam summary of what it means that God’s goodness and loving kindness have appeared. Three words: He saved us.

Here’s the Point

This is where Paul is aiming to draw our attention. The conjunction “but” in verse 4 is setting up an action to contrast with the fact that we used to …

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John Newton:

When we are deeply conscious of our defects in duty. If we compare our best performances with the demands of the law, the majesty of God, and the unspeakable obligations we are under; if we consider our innumerable sins of omission, and that the little we can do is polluted and defiled by the mixture of evil thoughts, and the working of selfish principles, aims, and motives, which though we disapprove, we are unable to suppress; we have great reason to confess, "To us belong shame and confusion of face."

But we are relieved by the thought, that Jesus, the High Priest, bears the iniquity of our holy things, perfumes our prayers with the incense of his mediation, and washes our …

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Earlier this year Crossway traveled with Pastor John to his hometown of Greenville, SC to revisit the world in which he grew up. This 18-minute documentary takes us through his experience of racism in the 1960's American South:

Purchase or download Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian.

John Flavel:

If therefore in doubtful cases you would discover God's will, govern yourselves in your search after it by the following rules:

1. Get the true fear of God upon your hearts. Be really afraid of offending him. God will not hide his mind from such a soul. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant" (Psalm 25:14).
2. Study the Word more, and the concerns and interests of the world less. The Word is light to your feet (Psalm 119:105), that is, it has a discovering and directing usefulness as to all duties to be done and dangers to be avoided. . .
3. Reduce what you know into practice, and you shall know what is your duty to practice. "If any …

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The Great Commission was not an afterthought for Jesus. It is a mandate that reflects the heart and mission of God from before the foundations of the world.

In this 16-minute episode of Theology Refresh, Jerry Rankin discusses unreached and unengaged peoples, the dynamics of mission strategy, and international church planting. His aim is to encourage pastors and local churches to be involved in global outreach.

Stream or download the interview.

[Subscribe to Theology Refresh through iTunes.]

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Recent Theology Refresh podcasts —

• John Piper on the Gospel and Sanctification (Part 2)
• John Piper on the Gospel and Sanctification (Part 1)
• Francis Chan on the Sovereignty of God

How does personal holiness relate to the assurance of salvation? How does godliness happen? What are the dynamics of our effort?

These are the issues considered in the second part of the discussion between John Piper and Kevin DeYoung:

Check out Part 1 and stream or download this interview (Part 2).

Some related resources:

• Why Are You Thrilled to Be Loved by Jesus?
• God Is the Gospel (PDF) (softcover book)

Thomas Watson:

When a Christian is weak, and can hardly pray for himself, Jesus Christ is praying for him; and he pray for three things.

First, that the saints may be kept from sin (John 17:15). "I pray that thou shouldest keep them from evil." We live in the world as in a pest-house; Christ prays that his saints may not be infected with the contagious evil of the times.

Second, for his people's progress in holiness. "Sanctify them" (John 17:17). Let them have constant supplies of the Spirit, and be anointed with fresh oil.

Third, for their glorification: "Father, I will that those which thou hast given me, be with me where I am" (John 17:24). Christ is not content till the saints are in h…

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(See Part 2 of the interview)

John Piper and Kevin DeYoung recently sat down to discuss how faith in the gospel applies to personal holiness:

This two-part conversation anticipates Kevin's forthcoming book, The Hole in Our Holiness, and is related to a latest Theology Refresh with Pastor John on the subject of the gospel and sanctification.

Stream or download the interview.

Charles Spurgeon:

Of all I would wish to say this is the sum; my brethren, preach Christ, always and evermore. He is the whole gospel. His person, offices, and work must be our one great, all-comprehending theme.

The world needs to be told of its Saviour, and of the way to reach him. Justification by faith should be far more than it is the daily testimony of Protestant pulpits; and if with this master-truth there should be more generally associated the other great doctrines of grace, the better for our church and our age. . .

We are not called to proclaim philosophy and metaphysics, but the simple gospel. Man's fall, his need of a new birth, forgiveness through an atonement, and salvation…

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