James Mcdonald

Tullian and Coral Ridge

 Many who  read this are probably aware of D. James Kennedy and the legacy he left behind Coral Ridge Ministries upon his death in September of 2007.  However, many I presume are not that familiar with Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor of New City Church.  This past year and half I have been listening to  Tchividjian’s Sermons and have read his book, Do I Know God?.  Tchividjian, 36, is a reformed Presbyterian pastor who draws out great application from God’s word and has been bridging many generational gaps in the church through his ministry. 

 Well, to my pleasant surprise, Tchividjian has been chosen by the elders of Coral Ridge to be only the second pastor their church has known, albeit with a few stipulations from Tchividjian.  Not only him, but his entire congregation at New City Church  come along as well.  Through weeks of planning and meeting between both sides the elders of both bodies unanimously approved of the merger. 

 Tchividjian will be preaching at Coral Ridge this Sunday, March 15, and will be awaiting a vote of the members of Coral Ridge for the approval of the merger.  If the merger is approved through the next and final step, the merger could take place as early as Easter Sunday.  Please remember Tullian and the congregations of both churches in your prayers through this momentous event in their ministry.

To read more from Tullian’s blog click here.

To read the Merger Team’s Announcement from Coral Ridge click here.  

Fools and Wise Men

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:2(ESV)

Hostility, indifference, and worship are the reactions Christ receives from humanity. Christ alone is whom the Magi came to worship. This reality horrified Herod. The fact that anyone other than himself would be worshiped alarmed Herod, in fact enraged him. The Magi and Herod represent a distinctively paradoxical shift in thinking concerning the birth of Christ.

A great deal can be learned through history regarding Herod. Yet, information is limited about the Magi. However, the lack of information of the Magi does in no way diminish the great testimony of these wise men. There are plenty of unanswered questions pertaining to these men that have left a great deal for debate over time. The only fact that Matthew gives us is that these men came to worship Christ. The only thing that we can be sure of about these men is their reaction to the new born king; they came to crown Him Lord of all!

Herod’s reaction towards the birth of Christ was more than indifferent. It was hostile! Herod’s insecurity caused him to take extreme actions. Extreme actions that his reign would forever be emblazoned with, announcing forever, his folly.

Wise men worship Christ the King; fools seek to dethrone Christ the King. What are we worshiping? Do we crown him Lord of all? The Magi came with the purpose of worshiping Christ, and so should we. We were created for such an act!

O worship the King, all glorious above,

And gratefully sing His power and His love;

Our shield and defender, the ancient of days,

Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.