Some particularly helpful resources in the battle against sin

This morning in the sermon notes, I had a fairly lengthy list of resources — books, audio, and articles — that I believe will be helpful encouragements in your battle against sin. I had intended to make a couple of comments about those resources, and simply forgot to do so (which is happening more frequently […]

Sunday Leftovers (6/20/10)

Since it is true that God has provided in our salvation all that we need to live godly, and since it is true that sin is no longer our master, and since it is true that we have been liberated from the power of sin, then why do so many believers struggle with sin? Why […]

How far will you go in your battle against sin and pride?

Jesus said, “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it […]

A really good word about killing sin

This may be the best sermon I’ve heard in weeks or even months. In his final message at the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors, Sam Storms proposes that the best way to fight sin is to have a different affection. Instead of telling people seek God instead of pleasure, Storms says that we must seek our […]

Book Review: A Fight to the Death

Title: A Fight to the Death: Taking Aim at Sin Within Author: Wayne A. Mack with Joshua Mack Publisher: P & R Publishing, 2006; 176 pp. $10.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): Do you mortify, do you make it your daily work; be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from the work; […]

Packer and Owen on mortification

Having written several blogs on the topic of mortification, and one specific review of John Owen’s masterpiece, On the Mortification of Sin, I was intrigued to read a short piece today by J. I. Packer on the influence of Owen on his own life. Packer has written several introductions to various Puritan works, along with […]

The Mortification of Sin (John Owen)

John Owen’s The Mortification of Sin is considered a classic, and 350 years after it was published, is still probably one of the best books on hamartiology (the doctrine of sin) and specifically, how to mortify sin. It has taken me far too long to read it; I purchased it three years ago, and it […]

The Gospel and the Good Value of Guilt

John Owen (called by John Piper “the greatest Puritan Theologian”) writes the following concerning the good role of guilt in mortifying sin: Bring thy lust to the gospel, not for relief, but for further conviction of its guilt: look on him whom thou has pierced, and be in bitterness. Say to thy soul, ‘What have […]

Owens on Temptation

After Sunday’s message I was moderately rebuked for not listing John Owen’s works on sin, particularly On the Mortification of Sin in my resources. So here they are: John Owens, Of the Mortification of Sin — this edition includes the classic introduction by J. I. Packer. Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor, Overcoming Sin and Temptation: […]

Sunday Leftovers (11/12/06)

While the reality of indwelling sin in the life of the believer is known by most believers, Calvin was right when he said “No one knows the one-hundredth par of the sin that clings to his soul.” When just external activity is considered, disobedience and sin may seem superficial and peripheral. Yet when the activity […]