Is Your Church Frantic or Focussed?
Equipping our people to be like Jesus in a frantic and distracted world?
Jesus lived the life of focussed attention. The world around him (“Everyone is looking for you Jesus!” says Peter) would drag him into frantic distraction. But, by the power of the Spirit, Jesus knew that his greatest asset was the focussed attention that would take him all the way to the cross in Jerusalem. ... Continue Reading
Younger Pastors and Senior Adults
Here are some characteristics of the older generation and what they mean for our churches.
Seniors can be a challenge. They can be grumpy, they can complain, they can fuss and fume over very insignificant things. But you know what? So can younger people. A younger pastor engages the older people in his congregation because they are part of his flock—and, more importantly, they belong to the Chief Shepherd. ... Continue Reading
What It Means for a Church to Be Spiritual
True spirituality occurs by grace alone.
Since the church is found where the word is preached and the sacraments are administered, and since the Spirit is promised to us alongside the means of grace, we rest assured that wherever the church is, there too is the Spirit. What exactly does it mean for a church to have the Spirit? Ephesians... Continue Reading
How Does Somebody Get Ordained in the PCA?
The complexity, necessity, and challenge of proper credentialing.
My hope is that our quest for knowledge, accuracy, and orthodoxy will not deprive us of a welcoming, affectionate, inclusive, and mentoring kind of credentialing environment. I pray that every man who sits or stands for exam will know that even though we expect great things from them we are for them, we want them... Continue Reading
Our Ancient Foe
The Devil has suffered a fatal wound, but he is not dead.
The Devil is quite real, and there is a spiritual war going on every minute of every day (Rev. 12:17). It was foretold by God when He cursed the Serpent and said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring” (Gen. 3:15). This war is not a... Continue Reading
Unconditional Election
Why Some Believe and Others Remain in Their Sin
To appreciate the Canons’ teaching on unconditional election, it is important to remember that they were articulated in a specific historical context. The Synod of Dort was convened to address the controversy that broke out in the Reformed churches of the Netherlands in response to the teaching of James Arminius (1560-1609) and his followers, the... Continue Reading
Confusion: A Judgement on Society
Sin made all things complicated upon earth.
Every human enterprise is now beset with labour, sweat and tears. We are not to be surprised by that. Our Maker foretold us that it would be so when he informed Adam that from the first hour of man’s Fall all his labour would henceforth be with ‘the sweat of his face’ (Gen. 3:19). The... Continue Reading
Origins of the Creed
The Scripture says that we are to teach one another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs--and this is what the followers of Arius did.
One of their choruses is strikingly illustrative of their doctrine and method. Being a Greek speaking city, the chorus was in Greek, and consisted of only five words, only 7 total syllables (a perfect chorus). The first word and the last are the same, while the second and third words rhyme: “ην ποτε ὁτε ουχ... Continue Reading
Sexual Brokenness (John 7:53-8:11)
Regardless of who you are and where you’re coming from on this issue, we actually have a lot more in common than you think.
Today’s topic is important. We’re going to talk about sexual brokenness. I need to warn you: today’s sermon may seem a little negative at first, but I want to invite you to hang in there, because I think it’s actually good news for all of us. My goal is to elevate awareness of how sexually broken... Continue Reading
If God is Gracious, Why Can’t I do What I Want?
When we are united to Christ, his alien righteousness becomes our own.
Christians are united to Christ in his death and also in his resurrection in order to walk with him in newness of life. Christians simply can’t keep living like the old sinful person they were because that person has been spiritually crucified with Christ, laid in the grave, and been raised a new person. ... Continue Reading