The Mission of the Church
May all our churches evangelize, enfold, equip, establish, exalt, and extend.
Books and blogs are written all the time on what the church is really called to do and be. It’s not unlikely that in the time of my writing this, another book is funneling through a publisher on what the church is actually supposed to do, or what the apostles really meant for the church’s... Continue Reading
The Ordo Salutis: Introduction
The application of the gospel to individuals.
First, God effectually summons dead sinners to awake or be regenerated. This latter act is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. After waking from their dead slumber these roused sinners begin to respond in faith and repentance. What is more, they are justified, adopted, sanctified and persevering until their glorification. All of these topics will be... Continue Reading
How the Order of OT Sacrifices Communicated a Theology of Worship
God gave specific instructions concerning sacrifices to him.
Worshipers would begin with the Sin Offering (Lev 4:1–5:13, 6:24–30, symbolizing the substitution necessary for atonement. When a sin offering was made, the worshiper would place one hand on the head of the animal and make confession of his sin while he killed the animal with his other hand. Part of the blood from that... Continue Reading
Count Your Blessings
We find that we gain increasing victory over sin as we live in a state of gratitude for His countless blessings.
God has provided for us, protected us, forgiven us, instructed us, disciplined us, been longsuffering toward us, and showered His kindness upon us in Christ. How can we not be thankful for all that we have received from His loving and merciful hand! Above all blessings He has showered on us, He has made us... Continue Reading
How to Read Ezekiel Theologically
From the prophet’s first frightening theophany in Babylon to the final vision of a restored temple, the presence and power of the Sovereign Lord reverberate throughout the book.
Ezekiel leaves us with a theological vision of a Spirit-indwelled people, transformed from idolaters to saints, resting in a covenant of peace, under a new Davidic reign, and dwelling in the presence of the Lord forever. Reading Ezekiel theologically is recognizing the presence and power of God to judge and save—that the nations may know... Continue Reading
Common Grace
There is an aspect of grace that benefits humanity as a whole—whether we realise it or not.
We begin our journey through grace with the way God shows his grace—his love and favour—towards all he has made. David explicitly highlights this facet of God’s dealings with all his creatures in Psalm 145, captured in the words, ‘The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all he has made’ (145.9).... Continue Reading
5 Things You Need for Better Apologetics
Apologetics is the reverent, reasonable, and humble defense—through our words and through our lives—of the hope we have in the risen Christ.
Apologetics isn’t saying, “I’m sorry”; it’s a defense that reveals the incoherence of the unbeliever’s worldview by pointing to the internal coherence and external evidence for the believer’s hope in the risen Christ and in his written Word. 1. Apologetics is not an apology; it’s a defense that includes evidence. I was in my... Continue Reading
Ministering to the Sexually Broken
The gospel is costly. And it is worth it.
When shame compels isolation, we hide from the very people and resources that we need. We whiteknuckle it until Satan deceptively promises that sweet relief will come only from embracing that lustful glance, clicking that Internet link, or turning off the lights to our bedrooms and hearts and embracing the fellow divine image-bearer that God... Continue Reading
10 Important Aspects of Submission and Authority in a Christian Marriage
However unpopular biblical male headship is today in secular society (and sadly in many churches as well), it is still God-ordained.
Because of our sinful natures, a husband will not fulfill his duties perfectly in this life, but his wife should always seek to honor, appreciate, value, and encourage him as much as possible. A husband and wife should have grace for each other as they seek to grow in holiness in their marriage. One... Continue Reading
What is the Holy Spirit’s Role in Bible Study?
Many contemporary textbooks on hermeneutics simply neglect this issue.
What is the Spirit’s role in your study of the Bible? Does he give you secret codes to unlock personalized messages? Does he shine special light so you can see the invisible ink in the white spaces of your Bible? Does he speak new words just to you in still, small voices? No. Those things... Continue Reading