Calvary Hot Springs

Exalting Christ Through the Ministry of the Word

In View of the Resurrection, 1

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Philippians 2:5–8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

With the celebration of Christ’s resurrection in sight, we would be enriched to rehearse particular aspects of His life, ministry, death and resurrection.

The above account, given by the Apostle Paul reminds us that the incarnation, that is, God the Son taking on human flesh, was a voluntary act of His divine will. Leaving the glories of heaven behind, where He is ever worshiped and where sin and its consequences has not penetrated, Jesus voluntarily emptied himself, stepped into time and space and took on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Some describe the account of His crucifixion as “the murder of Jesus.” While that description is perfectly understandable from a horizontal perspective, the truth is, no man took His life from Him, but rather He laid it down willingly (John 10:18). He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The significance of this truth is first, it reveals the nature and character of our creator. In His coming, God reveals His goodness and kindness. In His willing sacrifice on the cross He reveals His righteousness, justice, mercy and grace. Second, Christ’s willingness to come into this world reveals man’s nature, position and condition. The inherent sinful nature of mankind puts him in a position of condemnation before God making his condition hopeless and helpless. For mankind to ever be in right standing before God it required a righteous man to act on his behalf in life and in death. Jesus was that righteous man (the infinite God/man) who hung on the cross on our behalf, and He did so willingly.

When we look to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we must see it as more than just another holiday to celebrate or that time of year we do the “church” thing. When we look to the resurrection, we must see it as it really is, the willing offering of our God to provide the only means through which mankind might be delivered from his hopeless and helpless condition of condemnation and to be forgiven of his sin to be made new. The resurrection declares there is no other way for mankind to stand before God in right standing than through faith in Christ’s willing sacrifice for our sins. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

March Suggested Book of the Month

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SUGGESTED BOOK OF THE MONTH

The Gospel-Centered Life

by Robert Thune and Will Walker

The Gospel-Centered Life is an interactive workbook that considers the practical affects of the gospel being the primary thrust of the Christians life. The authors argue that the gospel is not merely a gateway into heaven but the very means by which and through which the Christian life is to be lived. They then answer the question, “What does the gospel-centered life actually look like.

Throughout this workbook the authors answer three primary questions: First, “What is the gospel?,” Second, “What does the gospel do in us?,” and Third, “How does the gospel work through us?”

This is a wonderful resource for all believers, newly saved or seasoned saint; it is also a wonderful resource for those who are searching for the realties of the gospel and the difference it makes in your life.

A must read for all who are followers or seekers of Christ.

Here is the link to purchase through Christian Books, The Gospel-Centered Life

Reviewed by Matthew Lim

February Suggested Book of the Month

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SUGGESTED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Addictions, A Banquet in the Grave

by Edward Welch

Edward Welch’s book Addictions is a wonderful resource for those who are wrestling with addictions or are helping someone who is. Published by Resources for Changing Lives, this resource approaches the problem of addiction from a biblical perspective. Mr Welch does not dismiss the physical, emotional, social and environmental factors that come into play with a persons addictions, but he consistently addresses the matters of the heart. This is a book dominated by the hope of the gospel and provides biblical and practical counsel in the practical outworking of God’s divine power granting the believer all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

The back cover of the book reads:

“Scripture reveals addicts’ true condition: like guests at a banquet thrown by ‘the woman Folly,’ they are already in the grave. (Prov. 9:13-18)

“Can we not escape our addictions? Following Jesus, we have ‘immense hope that can give power so that we are no long mastered by the addiction.’”

Here is the link to purchase through Amazon, Addictions, A Banquet in the Grave

Reviewed by Matthew Lim

January Suggested Book of the Month

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SUGGESTED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Stop Behaving: A Gospel-Centered Devotional for Men

by Jerrad Lopes

Jerrad Lopes is the founder of the ministry/podcast “Dad Tired”. Dad Tired is a gospel-centered outreach to husbands and fathers meant to encourage and challenge men to faithfully follow hard after Christ, in all of our short comings and failures.

Jerrad Lopes recently authored Stop Behaving, a daily devotional book that is split into four one-week sections. In this devotional, Jerrad practically applies the Gospel to everyday life on every page. He makes the point that, as men, so much seems to be focused on behavior management. We are told that we are to be This and be doing That in order to be a good husband or a good father. We are hounded by these pressures from just about every angle. Stop Behaving points out that scripturally, we as husbands and fathers don’t require changed behavior, but require a changed heart that only Jesus can provide. From there, we read how the Gospel changes the way that we serve and love our wife, the way that we relate to our children and view their behavior, and the way that we view our job and where we find our worth in an increasingly performance driven world.

This devotional has been a great encouragement and challenge to me, as I am reminded of my insufficiency and general unworthiness in my roles as a husband and father and am driven to the throne of grace in order that Christ be made known.

Here is the link to Jerrad Lopes website, Dad Tired where you can purchase the book and listen to his podcast. The above image was obtained from the Dad Tired website.

Reviewed by Matt Tramp

December Suggested Book of the Month

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SUGGESTED BOOK OF THE MONTH
I Am a Church Member
by Thom Rainer

This short, quick read of a book packs a lot truth for the body of Christ to consider. Thom Rainer’s book, “I Am a Church Member” challenges the church to consider what it means to be the church and to be committed to its life and ministry. In six short chapters Thom explains what it means to be a functioning, unifying, serving, praying, leading and treasuring church member.

This is book encourages you to examine your own life based upon the biblical principles of church membership and provides opportunity to make a personal commitment to being a healthy member of the local church. It is a MUST READ for all who are called saints… for all who are the church.

Reviewed by Matthew Lim

November Suggested Book of the Month

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SUGGESTED BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Attributes of God
by A. W. Pink

There are myriads of things we can pursue in our lives. Some things we might look back on as a waste of time and energy, other things we can look back at and see that our pursuit was worthwhile. For the Christian, our pursuit of God will never be wasted time. It is never a futile activity for us to seek to know God more. A.W. Pink in his book, The Attributes of God helps us grow in our knowledge and love of God.
Pink seeks helps us think more deeply about our God and his many and varied attributes. This however is not just an exercise of the mind, but is a spiritual exercise. Pink says in his preface that we need, “more than a theoretical knowledge of God…God is only truly known in the soul as we yield ourselves to him, submit to his authority, and regulate all the details of our lives by his holy precepts and commandments.”

This book is not just theoretical pontification about God, but the attributes the author highlights are rooted in scripture. We know God best as he has revealed himself in his Word, and this little book helps us see God more clearly as he has revealed himself in his Word. Some of the attributes we are helped to think through are, the solitariness of God, the supremacy of God, the power of God, the goodness of God, the wrath of God and the love of God.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued, investigation of the great subject of the Deity.” So, grow your mind and your heart and commit to study the greatness of our God.

We found a good price for this book here.

Reviewed by Graham Parker

The Lawrence Lantz Family

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It was a great joy to hear from Lawrence Lantz this past summer as he shared about the great work the Lord is doing in Ngora, Uganda. Below is a video highlighting some of the things he shared as well as a brief history of God’s leading in their lives.
You can keep up with the Lantz’s as well as our other missionaries here.

Mutual Encouragement in the Gospel

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This fall we had the opportunity to send a team from Calvary to the Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission annual field conference. Members from our team spoke during the main sessions, led music during the conference, led a VBS, led classes and activities for the teens and did childcare for the nursery age children. We also had the chance to serve at a local church plant, Igreja Batista Redenção in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. It is in this church that Jon & Denielle Johnson and James & Christen Taylor serve. Here is a brief video of our time…