Salvation is of the Lord from beginning to end. Yes, I must believe. Yes, I must respond. Yes, I must receive Christ. But for me to say “yes” to any of those things, my heart must first be changed by the sovereign, effectual power of God the Holy Spirit.   Soli Deo gloria is the... Continue Reading

We need to be ready for the next false philosophy—in a year, in five years, or in a decade—that will spawn the next cultural revolution. I can’t predict what it will be, but I know it will happen. I also know what we can do to be ready, prevent Christian defectors, and answer the challenge... Continue Reading

Out of all the reasons you would want more time, how many of those reasons involve God? How much of your desire for more time for more productivity involves doing the work of the Lord?   Did you get everything accomplished this past week that you wanted to accomplish? Do you have deadlines and projects... Continue Reading

The Nicene Creed remains significant for us today as both in its means of formulation, and its creedal statements, it empowers us with a humility necessary to know God. That humility is God-like and from God.   The Church is often weak and prone to listen to the culture’s seductive call. We need help to... Continue Reading

Against everything we are told today, happiness is not found in ourselves, in appreciating our own beauty or convincing ourselves of it. Deep, lasting, satisfying happiness is found in the all-glorious God.   “Evangelion (that we call the gospel) is a Greek word and signifies good, merry, glad, and joyful tidings, that makes a man’s... Continue Reading

As God moves in History bringing redemption to the entire fallen cosmos, one aspect will necessarily be cultural transformation.  And, part of cultural transformation will necessarily manifest itself politically and socially, that is, not merely or solely in the hearts of believers.   In today’s 24-hour news cycle, political banter is virtually unavoidable and a lot of what... Continue Reading

The reason why the Bible is so important for the Christian life is because it is a primary means that the Spirit of Christ uses to make Christ present in us—to make his life dwell richly in us so that we become new creatures in Christ.    Evangelicals assume the Bible is good. It is... Continue Reading

The burden of the ministry is heavy enough without adding the yoke of unbiblical expectations. To do so will simply lead to heartache for pastors and congregations alike. It’s Jesus who defines the terms of the ministry and sets the expectations.   Rumor has it William Shakespeare once said: “Expectation is the root of all... Continue Reading

What is your expectation for healing and salvation from your sin and misery? Do you expect a great show like the world and many churches give and Naaman expected for his leprosy? Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to... Continue Reading

 No creature, even among those in heaven, is empowered to fulfill God’s purposes in salvation or judgment. There is no creature, not even one from heaven, who is qualified to secure the future of Christ’s church.   We know the plot of Rev 1–4 pretty well. Our King Jesus dictated seven messages to prepare His... Continue Reading