8″For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
9″For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

This page is more for myself but I feel that some things are worthy to be shared. The reason why this page is called Isaiah 55:8-9, is because I want to share and comment on books and sermons that I’ve read and heard outside bible study and Sunday mornings. The more I grow, the more I realize how important it is to train one’s mind in God’s way, which by grace, has often manifested itself through the words of learned men.

I am not going to post sermon links, but if you’re interested in something I’ve read or heard, I’ll do my best to help you find it. This is a tool to remind myself of what I’ve been learning for future reference and a resource tool if you see something you may be interested in. Check often, because (hopefully) this will update regularly.

[S] = sermon
[B] = book

Summer 2009 [chronological order]

  • The Scandal of Grace_John MacArthur [S]
    This sermon is about how Jesus was unrighteous by the religious at the time. JM gives great historical insight to help listeners picture this.
  • The Power of the Spirit in the Word of God_Peter Chung [S]
    “You cannot sow to the spirit if you do not sow to the word”. This is a message about the necessity of reading and memorizing scripture.
  • If My Word Abides in You_John Piper [S]
    “What are YOU hitting him (the devil) with?” JP talks about the power of scripture in circumstances and in life.
  • Sweeter than Honey, Better than Gold_John Piper [S]
    Why would anyone watch/read anything other than God’s word? JP makes a case a that life, wisdom, and joy are rooted in the scripture.
  • Is God for Us or for Himself?_John Piper [S]
    “If he abandoned his goal of self-exaltation, WE would be the losers.” God must give us himself  in order to be perfectly loving.
  • Hacking Agag to Pieces, part 1_John MacArthur [S]
    JM implores us to kill sin. He uses the example of how Saul failed to obey God and how we must not let sin have a grip or part in our life.
  • Hacking Agag to Pieces, part 2_John MacArthur [S]
    JM elaborates on methods to kill sin. He emphasizes the importance of prayer and meditation. Sin will be killing you if you aren’t killing sin.
  • Jesus Trades Places with a Leper_John MacArthur [S]
    This sermon talks about the juxtaposition that occurs after Jesus heals the disobedient leper in Mark. The contrast is quite striking.
  • The Son’s Glory, Part 1_Paul Washer [S]
    This sermon is about the glory of Christ in which things were created for and through. It reminds us about what kind of savior died for us.
  • The Son’s Glory, Part 2_Paul Washer [S]
    Continuing with the theme of Christ’s preeminence, PW talks about Christ’s greatness from Isaiah 6.
  • Interrogating the Legalist Within_CJ Mahaney [S]
    This is a humorous& convicting sermon about dealing with legalism. He commands us to recall our conversion when we struggle.
  • The Vanishing Conscience_John MacArthur [B]
     This book was one of the freebies at Resolved Conference but piqued my interest when I started reading it in the hotel room. It’s a book that talks about the seriousness of sin and how modern day culture has lost the urgency to deal with it. It addresses different views of how people deal with sin and refutes all of them with the thoughts of Puritans and the authority of scripture. One gets a solid sense on how to identify, confront, and deal with sin.
  • God is Love_Tim Conway [S]
    This is a great reminder of God’s love. We know that God is love and TC demonstrates it beautifully with an array of scripture and analysis.
  • Who Shall Ascend the Hill of the Lord?_Tim Conway [S]
    TC presents a strong alternative to the normal understanding of Psalm 24. I was rebuked. You will most likely be as well.
  • Humanity on Trial_John MacArthur [S]
    This sermon illustrated man’s hopeless condition very well using courtroom terms found in Romans 3:9-20. Humanity sucks. Period.
  • The Holiness of God_RC Sproul [B]
    This is a fantastic book. It is a favorite among my mentor and the pastors of my church in Irvine and was worth the read. It paints a powerful picture of who we are and who God is and how many of our views of God and his holiness are lacking or incomplete. Sproul is not hard to read and draws many examples from his own life and his own readings. He tackles some problematic passages and takes analogies and examples from many great men in church history. Everyone could benefit from reading about the holiness of God; it’s no wonder that it’s a favorite even among the well-read.
  • Spectacular Sins_John Piper [B]
    This was another Resolved freebie. It’s a short book, but Piper addresses God’s sovereignty over sin in various parts of scripture and how He uses evil for the better good of man. He makes it clear that God does not commit evil in orchestrating such a plan and this is a great fast read if you’re interested in understanding how God uses spectacular sins for His purposes.
  • The Great Divorce_C.S. Lewis [B]
    This is an extraordinary work, a masterpiece of literary work and religious allegory. C.S. Lewis paints a unique picture of the relationship between heaven and hell and how the people are strikingly different. It provides great insight into human nature, of both religious and non-religious points of view. It’s a great read and I would recommend it to everyone.
  • The Curse Motif of the Atonement_R.C. Sproul [S]
    This is a strong sermon and reminder about a theme and illustration that is rarely talked about in churches today, the curse motif.
  • As One with Authority_Albert Mohler [S]
    I was actually at Shepherds Conference when this message was given. It’s an encouragement and exhortation to both the pastor and church member.
  • The Present Reality of Justification_Albert Mohler [S]
    This sermon recaps the first three chapters of Romans and climaxes at Romans 8 to convey how contigent everything is on our justification.
  • The Sufficiency of Scripture in Ministry_Paul Washer [S]
    This is an exhortation to ministers and laymen alike to turn to scripture in all things. I would highly recommend this.
  • How Can A God of Love Send Anyone to Hell_Albert Mohler [S]
    Mohler talks about how God’s love is a holy love, not one of sentimentality and points to how hell magnifies the Gospel.
  • The Importance of the Local Church_Mark Dever [S]
    This is a great reminder of the importance of the local church. So often we forget what the local church stands for; this was helpful.
  • Authority_Martyn Lloyd-Jones [B]
    This relatively short book (94 pages) addressed three different types of authority: the authority of Jesus Christ, the authority of the Bible, and the authority of the Holy Spirit. MLJ does a good job reminding the readers that not only is God sovereign, but He wields authority and demands respect. The section that stood out to me the most was the one about the Holy Spirit because I inexcusably neglect His work and power in salvation.
  • Training Young Men for Ministry_Paul Washer [S]
    This sermon was about the necessity for older and wiser men to truly invest their time, heart, and energy into aspiring ministers for the sake of holiness.
  • Do You Like Jesus?_Mark Dever [S]
    This message provides historical context on the difficult ministry of Jesus. Dever does a good job explaining that Jesus is a man who divides.