Johnny and Chachi have a new video out with some “Killer Youth Ministry Tips.” Once again, here’s more sage advice from two unbelievably competent dudes. It also has some wiggidy-whacked CGI in it.

My colleague Dr. Chuck Lawless shared a powerful testimony to God’s grace in SBTS chapel yesterday. This is a good word, and you need to hear it. The Lord’s arm is not too short to save! (Isaiah 59:1)

Russell Moore has a must-read at The Resurgence website. In it, he asks whether Christians should be outraged by the new “We Are the World” single that was recently recorded after the Grammys. He writes:

“Well, yes, I am outraged. Willie Nelson should have been invited to participate. He’s still every bit as talented as he was in 1985, and if Nick Jonas can be invited, then certainly Willie should’ve been too.”

Okay, there’s actually more to it than that. Go read it here.

It is a great national shame that we send women off to fight our wars. I understand that saying such a thing is terribly non-PC these days. The general egalitarian spirit of the age looks askance at the idea that women are to be protected, not deployed. Nevertheless, that used to be the consensus view in the Christian West. But we have fallen a long way from that integrity. That is why I am surprised to see Mary Eberstadt’s OP-ED in Friday’s Washington Post. It goes decidedly against the egalitarian grain. She writes: Keep Reading →

Christianity Today asked Philip Ryken last week what he expects “to be Wheaton’s greatest ‘identity challenge’ in relating to trends in American culture?” His answer:

“I think the issue of homosexuality will for the foreseeable future be a defining challenge for the evangelical church generally, and, therefore, also for the college.”

He calls homosexuality a “defining challenge” not just for Wheaton, but for all of evangelicalism. There are a number of reasons that I agree with this assessment, but let me just give you a few thoughts to consider. Keep Reading →

Little did I know that my favorite New Testament scholar also exhibits proficiency in rescuing damsels in distress. He really can do it all! See it here.

(HT: Patrick Schreiner)

I believe David Platt (@plattdavid) to be the most passionate and compelling missions-mobilizer in Southern Baptist life today. He brought a powerful and convicting message in Southern Seminary’s chapel service that I think everyone needs to hear. His text is Luke 9:57-62, a text which he argues presents us with three questions about our priorities:

1. Are we going to choose comfort or the cross? (Luke 9:57-58)
2. Are we going to settle for maintenance or are we going to sacrifice for mission? (Luke 9:59-60)
3. Are our lives and ministries going to be marked by indecisive minds or undivided hearts? (Luke 9:61-62)

Don’t listen to this if you don’t want your world shaken-up. Don’t miss this one.

Audio of Sermon:

I preached a message on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 in Southern Seminary’s chapel yesterday. Video above, and audio below.

Take Heed Lest You Fall

In my conclusion, I referred to an old sermon titled “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection,” and I mispoke by attributing the sermon to Thomas Cranmer. I meant to say that the sermon comes from Thomas Chalmers. If you are interested in reading it, you can do so here. Chalmers’ sermon is a meditation on 1 John 2:15. His basic point is this:

“The best way of casting out an impure affection is to admit a pure one; and by the love of what is good to expel the love of what is evil.”

I couldn’t agree more. May God give is the grace to replace the love of our idols with the love of Christ.

Here’s a pre-recorded version of the Great Commission Resurgence interim report that Pastor Ronnie Floyd delivered tonight to the SBC Executive Committee. You can download the text version of Floyd’s address here. This is only an interim report, and the final report is not due until May. Nevertheless, it is clear that the work of the GCR Task Force promises to be epoch-making for Southern Baptists.

The report warns Southern Baptists that we have two options:

“Die a painful death, or live a painful change. . . What our convention chooses to do will determine what God does with this denomination. . . Wilderness wanderings or Canaan conquests.”

We all need to pray that Southern Baptists make the right decision this summer in Orlando.

Last summer, the messengers of the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention appointed a task force to study how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission. The final report will be given at the SBC in Orlando this summer, but Ronnie Floyd will present an interim report to the SBC Executive Committee tonight. So all eyes are on Nashville.

At about 10:30pm EST, you will be able to see a video of Floyd’s report and a downloadable manuscript of his remarks at www.pray4gcr.com. Be sure to take a look. And be sure to pray for their work. (HT: Ronnie Floyd)