The glory of the gospel is this—when we as believers sin, whether it be racism, adultery, lying, or stealing, and when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, when He enables us to have true, heartfelt contrition, then we will bring forth fruits of repentance, namely a change in behavior. God then promises to bring... Continue Reading

Why were the disciples surprised? They were surprised because they had a veil over their eyes that was suddenly and unpleasantly ripped away. Matthew 26 is not telling us that the Old Testament is inherently Christless. It is telling us that the disciples did not understand.   There is no doubt that the disciples were... Continue Reading

You feel a sense of hopelessness overtaking you and, like a tire with a slow leak, you get a little lower every day. Whatever you might call it, you sense that you’re losing hope; the world is grey, you have a hard time enjoying life, you just can’t seem to get motivated.   We’ve been... Continue Reading

We’ve told ourselves that if Jesus needed to pray then certainly we need to pray. Paul’s letters overflow with prayer. We’ve read them and are convicted to pray. When we have devoted ourselves to pray we have emerged from the time energized. But it doesn’t stick. We return to our routine of dabbling in prayer.... Continue Reading

Number nine of Edwards’s famous resolutions says this, “Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.”[2] Puritans have often been criticized by their constant talk of death. This apparent morbidity was fueled by their view of themselves as pilgrims towards a better city. Edwards... Continue Reading

The cross appeared to reveal Roman might and Jesus’s weakness, yet paradoxically Christ conquered in seeming defeat, he completed his mission in apparent loss, he saved his people when it looked like he couldn’t save himself.7 This is the cruciform power and wisdom of God that turns conventional wisdom on its head and offers true... Continue Reading

Essentially, believing in heaven makes those evangelicals impatient with life, eager for death. If you’re inclined to judge this reasoning as dumb on stilts, remember really smart people said it. They are right. You are wrong. Regardless, there is a spectacular demonstration of ignorance at work here.   There should be an algebraic equation to... Continue Reading

No politician, health official, or vaccine can provide us with certainty. We shore up the best we can while learning to make peace with ambiguity. We shake hands with uncertainty.   As a parade of commercials open with, “During these uncertain times …” eyebrows across the country must raise in a level of incredulity as... Continue Reading

Just as we go to farmer’s market to buy choice produce, so we must also choose wisely when it comes to our reading, our friends, and where we worship on the Lord’s Day, the market day of the soul.   I remember a video we watched when our daughter was young. The little boy snuck... Continue Reading

Deciding on sermon series is no longer on my plate. Now, I am on the other side of the pulpit, a parishioner in the pew pulling up to the table to be fed.   And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.... Continue Reading