Thanking God as a People; Thanking Him One by One
How can we give thanks to God in a way that glorifies Him?
Think of the many ways in which God has been good to His people. Review His kindnesses to [y]our church. Recall the kindnesses that He has shown specifically to you, and then share these blessings with others so that they can bless God with you. Thanksgiving comes every year, and giving thanks to God... Continue Reading
Lamenting in Wartime
How can we pray to advance the Kingdom of God while not feeling dragged down in despair?
Tough times can make us better. If we lament well, if we process pain effectively, if we opt for thorough wrestling instead of shallow dismissals, we can be transformed into more compassionate, more trusting, more mature disciples of the One who chose to endure the ultimate suffering “for the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2).... Continue Reading
Christianity and Functional Liberalism (or How Evangelicalism Denies the Faith)
The new liberals claim to agree with the faith once for all delivered to the saints while simultaneously reinterpreting its doctrines into meaningless statements.
Because functional liberalism detests claims to authority that do not leave the ultimacy of the individual intact, they turn gospel-centered theology into “gospel-only theology.” The technical term for this is antinomianism. They forget that sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4) and that Christ came to save us from lawlessness (Titus 2:14) and for the obedience of faith (Rom. 1:5;... Continue Reading
Post Mortem: Lessons from a Failed Church Plant
No local church will last forever. Yet no power can stop the advance of His church.
Though we had people who attended regularly and who were positive about the ministry of the church, that’s where the commitment of many ended. We needed a few more couples or families, committed to throwing in their weight 100%—with the mindset that they would give themselves to the plant, no matter what. A pastor friend... Continue Reading
Who Cares for the Caregiver?
The complexity of others’ needs may hide them from you and hinder you from helping.
Churches—not the buildings but the people—were made to care. We must be gentle but bold in advising weary caregivers to receive care. They may need help in accepting it. You May Need Care Who cares? As we saw in the first blog, we were born to care according to God’s creation plan (Genesis 1:26-28).... Continue Reading
A Simple, Sobering Explanation of Our Sick Society
Our nation is exhibiting signs of a major moral declension.
To listen to the chaotic, nonsensical ramblings of many in our society (many of which reside in our “highest” institutions of learning and who are currently rioting in our streets) is a study in Isaiah 5 and Romans 1. Any man or woman, any family, any nation who, in their pride, reject God’s Word will... Continue Reading
What Makes an Ideal Elder?
Effective eldership is vital to discipline, peace, and orderliness in the church.
The qualifications of a ruling elder are of two sorts. Some are personal and relate to his way of life as a Christian. Others are official and relate to how he rules as an office-bearer in the household of God. If it is dangerous to any church to have ministers who are not called... Continue Reading
Come to the Waters
The hymn, steeped in rich theological heritage, resounds with the truth of God’s sovereign grace.
Come to the Waters is not merely a hymn sung by the congregation–it is a theological confession, a musical sermon that every teaching elder, ruling elder, and congregant should relish. It captures the essence of the gospel message, the heart of Reformed theology, and the pastoral warmth of our Presbyterian heritage. In recent years, James... Continue Reading
The Three Ways
God virtually possesses in and of himself, in a simple, supereminent fashion that which makes a rock a source of security to us and a fountain a source of satisfaction to us.
The God who is wise by nature bestows wisdom on creatures. The perfection of wisdom formally exists in God (in a divine manner) before it exists in the creature (in a creaturely manner). As Thomas Aquinas observes, “we do not call God wise because he causes wisdom, but he causes wisdom because he is wise” (Thomas... Continue Reading
The Hope of the Gospel Is Someone, Not Something
Until that day Christ, our hope, remains hidden in heaven above. Yet his gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the world below.
The Father is indeed our source of peace (Col.1:2). And his work of reconciliation through the death of his Son is the foundation of our future and final hope. Thus the hope of the gospel is Christ. The Father has accomplished our redemption and reconciliation through his Son in order to present us blameless at... Continue Reading
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