6. Discussion Forum

I really hope that this blog site has encouraged you. Again, this blog is our Prime Ministry's main information hub.

For the sake of exchanging our ideas and thoughts, I have created a discussion board forum for our ministry. The purpose of the discussion forum is to encourage the exchange of ideas within the Prime Ministry. Those who have been invited can join as "members." Members of the forum can post new topics. If you have not received an invitation and want to become a member, you can apply at the forum.

I hope over time, our blog site can become an invaluable tool to bring our ministry together.

5. Religion vs. Relationship: Gospel Centered Repentance

(Rev. Timothy Keller)

During our last few Primetimes, we focused on how the gospel should impact our sanctification process. We learned that there should be a striking and profound difference between pursuing the Christian life as a religion and pursuing the Christian life as a relationship with the Almighty God.

This past Sunday, James Haw shared his personal testimony about the power of the gospel in his daily life. We learned that we easily give too much emphasis on the externals (such as church attendance, service, good works, etc.) while neglecting to see the condition of our heart.

For this upcoming Primetime, James and I will team up to dialogue with the Prime ministry about issues concerning our spiritual growth. We will touch upon the idea that repentance and faith is the key to our spiritual maturity.

I have attached an article from Tim Keller (a noted pastor from New York City) about the importance of repentance in the life of the believer. I encourage you to take a look at this short article in preparation for this coming Sunday’s Primetime.

Click Here for the "All of Life is Repentance" article by Rev. Tim Keller

4. Primetime with James Haw

We will continue our discussion on "Is the Christian Life a Religion or a Relationship?" You don't want to miss out on this week's primetime (10/28). James Haw will be sharing how the gospel strengthens his life everyday. There will also be a question and answer time after his testimony. Hope to see many of you there.

3. Enjoying Grace and Detecting Legalism

Click Here to hear C.J. Mahaney's Sermon: "Enjoying Grace and Detecting Legalism"

This is the sermon that I promised you during our Primetime. Please make every effort to listen to this sermon. I can't tell you how much it has challenged and encouraged me with my understanding about my relationship with God.

Who is C.J. Mahaney?

C.J. Mahaney leads Sovereign Grace Ministries in its mission to establish and support local churches. After 27 years of pastoring Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, C.J. handed the senior pastor role to Joshua Harris on September 18, 2004, allowing C.J. to devote his full attention to Sovereign Grace. He serves on the Council of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and on the board of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.
C.J.'s books include Humility: True Greatness; Living the Cross-Centered Life; and Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God: What Every Christian Husband Needs to Know. He also contributed to Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry, and to two additional volumes in the Foundations for the Family Series (Crossway).

He has also edited or coauthored four books in the Pursuit of Godliness book series, published by Sovereign Grace Ministries: Why Small Groups?, This Great Salvation, How Can I Change?, and Disciplines for Life.

C.J. and his wife, Carolyn, have three married daughters and one son. They make their home in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Feel free to leave a comment for discussion after you listen to the sermon.

2. Is the Christian Life a Religion or a Relationship?

"This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it; the process is not yet finished but it is going on. This is not the end but it is the road; all does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified." - Martin Luther

"Christians are fond of claiming that Christianity is not a religion, that it's a personal relationship ... Religion places a major emphasis on rules and rituals that are supposed to either manipulate God or earn his favor. The tell-tale mark of religion is easy to spot. It's a one-size-fits-all approach to spirituality: "Following our rules, fulfill our rituals, and God (or the gods) will be pleased and placated ... Relationships are completely different. No one-size-fits-all recipe can guarantee a great relationship. Whether we're talking about husband and wife, close friends, co-workers, or parent and child, every relationship is different. No two are ever exactly alike. What builds and sustains one is often of no value in another." - Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God, Larry Osborne

This past Sunday during our Primetime, we started to discuss the question, "Is the Christian life a religion or a relationship?" We know that we are saved by the grace of God and that Christ's work on the cross has imputed righteousness unto us. We also know that we are justified by faith and not by works. These truths are the foundation to our faith and yet these important concepts regarding salvation fail to make its full impact on a daily basis. We struggle to reflect the truth of the gospel in everything we do. We still have a tendency to think that we can earn God's favor through our works and good deeds. Don't get me wrong. I do believe that there is nothing wrong with doing what is right. But, let me ask you a question. What is the motivation behind that pursuit of godliness? That is what we will be discussing for the next few months during our Primetime. I hope that through our discussions, we will be able to realize the striking and profound difference between pursuing the Christian life as a religion and pursuing the Christian life as a relationship with the Almighty God.

"know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by

faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified ... I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" - Galatians 2:16,21

1. Welcome

Dear Prime Ministry,
I’m excited to finally launch our very own blog site! I will be posting ideas, thoughts and information regarding the Prime Ministry on a regular basis. The blog site will act as a Prime communication hub so please check in often to see the latest discussions and events for our ministry. I hope that this site will bring much edification and encouragement to our ministry. Happy blogging everyone! Don't forget to leave a comment : )