Overcoming Pride in Ministry
Some of the most difficult issues many churches encounter revolve around men who feel entitled to the office of deacon, elder, or pastor.
Yes, we are weak; and yes, we are unworthy. Titles mean nothing; faithfulness means everything. By God’s grace, let us cease seeking after our own glory, and let us rather seek to display Jesus, the Lord of the church who is the perfect deacon, elder, and pastor. Few things are more dangerous in the... Continue Reading
I Want To Be Famous
I have a firm theological conviction that our mission is to make Jesus famous, not ourselves.
Would it not be wonderful if we all could fill little spaces and be satisfied, if we were being faithful to Jesus in that place? It will take much spiritual work in our hearts before that restlessness is settled, so may the Lord convince you that he loves you, and may he convince you that in... Continue Reading
The Self-Forgetfulness of Real Love
God’s love produces not a black hole but a universe exploding outward, growing ever larger and larger.
Truly loving another person means forgetting yourself long enough to pay attention to his or her section of the universe. Look at that planet! Look at that solar system! There’s always self-sacrifice at the beginning of love: you have to stop thinking about your own planetary system long enough to take notice of the other... Continue Reading
The Bible: Reading the “Ordinary” Way
When critics agree with the point of a passage, they take the words in their ordinary and customary sense
“If I’m asked if I take the Bible literally, I would say I think that’s the wrong question. I’d say instead that I take the Bible in its ordinary sense; that is, I try to take the things recorded there with the precision it seems the writer intended.” I never like the question “Do... Continue Reading
When You Forget Who You Are
You need to be reminded that you are a child of the king
“When God looks at us, he sees Jesus. He sees forgiven sin, perfect righteousness, and an adopted son or daughter. We spend entirely too much time allowing ourselves to be defined by something other than Him.” Have you ever heard someone say something when you were younger and it didn’t make the sense at... Continue Reading
Canons Of Dort (4): Unconditonal Grace
Under the Remonstrant revisions the covenant of grace becomes a covenant of works
“I have elsewhere noted that Synod characterized the Remonstrants as heretics. They did so because they saw the Remonstrants not merely disagreeing on minor or technical points (e.g., the logical order of the decrees). They saw the program of the Remonstrants as an all-out assault on the Reformation and the gospel.” In the preface... Continue Reading
Two Questions That Change Everything
The bottom line is this: if God is unwilling to forgive, we are doomed. But he's willing!
The content of the Bible is the worst of news (you are a sinner) and the best of news (God is willing to forgive). It’s only when you’re ready to admit the worst that you then open yourself up to what’s best. All of this means that you and I don’t have to live in denial... Continue Reading
Jesus’ Favorite Title for Himself and What It Reveals
The good work God began in declaring us righteous by faith will continue until his last word finalizes that restoration and perfection, making us just like the Son of Man (Rom. 5:5; Gen. 1:26).
The Son of Man has been exalted to the highest rule and authority because of his sacrifice. He reigns as the Son of Man over God’s kingdom. We are now called to bow the knee because Jesus alone is Lord. The “Son of Man” was one of Jesus’ favorite titles while on earth, appearing... Continue Reading
Was the Apostle Paul a Gnostic?
Our focus on the “things above” is Paul's way of emphasizing our love for the truths of God's kingdom.
In saying that we should neither seek nor set our minds on “things on the earth” he is not suggesting that we refuse to mow the grass or take out the garbage or play with our kids or be punctual in our appointments. He is denouncing a carnal mindset, a perspective that is fixated on... Continue Reading
Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth (and Not-So-Youth)
Whether you are a young man, or a not-so-young man, you have the same calling from God: Rejoice in the wife God has given you. Rejoice in his precious gift.
To rejoice in your wife means to actively pursue her, to do those things that delight and allure her, and to maintain an active and ongoing interest in her. To rejoice in your wife means to refuse to rejoice in anyone else—to refrain from desiring anyone else, to refuse from allowing your eyes to linger... Continue Reading