The Persuasion of the Gospel
"God speaks to us not primarily to inform us, but to encounter us in judgment and grace"
And yet the Christian longs for relief, for a remedy, for rescue, for the comfort of the gospel. To effectively reach and help the hearer the preacher must teach not only truth but use godly persuasion to convince of that truth those weak in faith, those struggling with the guilt of sin, and those harboring doubts of... Continue Reading
3 Things to Know About Union with Christ
Through the Holy Spirit who gives us faith, we are united to Christ like branches to a vine.
Dead branches are now being grafted in to a new, living vine. Being united to the first Adam who fell, we were dead in trespasses and sin. But now, we have been granted new life because of the work of Jesus, who is called the second Adam (Rom. 5). Knowing the following three aspects of... Continue Reading
Are You a Contender?
Like brave mothers who snatch their children from a cougar’s jaws, our fight to defend is compelled by love.
We fight, first, because we love the truth, and second, because we love people and want to save them from certain death. We fight to “save others by snatching them out of the fire” of God’s judgment against unbelief and apostasy. We defend the truth as an act of mercy toward “those who doubt” (Jude 22-23). ... Continue Reading
A Better Country For Mom
One day mom won’t laugh with me here. But she won’t weep there, in that better country.
Canada is a better country than Ghana, but mom couldn’t imagine she would suffer so much in a better country. But there is a country better than Canada. There is a country better than every country in this world. There, mom won’t suffer anymore. I don’t want to think about mom not being here. But... Continue Reading
A Functional Imperfect Perfectionism?
In this life we will be far from what we long to be and that which Christ will ultimately and instantaneously make us in glory
The idea that “men demand immediate, tangible results” is also observable in our day by a consideration of the many efforts to rid society of particular injustices. Where there are noble calls to end gun violence, abuse, political corruption, sexual deviancy, racial inequality, abortion, etc., men can unconsciously convince themselves that a complete purgation of... Continue Reading
Sanctification Through Song
Singing God’s songs does real, noticeable good.
And, of course, the songs themselves — as I have sung them — have gotten into my bones, and they have generated a longing to return to them over and over again. I have not only been sanctified to sing, but sanctified through song. I still don’t sing well- I won’t get tapped for choir... Continue Reading
Why You Need To Be in Church This Sunday
We’ve all but turned worship into the living room experience, complete with coffee, large television screens, couch-like seating, and a pastor who barely got out of his pajamas.
Our low view of the Sunday gathering as pastors has resulted in the church being an optional assembly. If people can get their church experience at home on the couch, there’s no reason for them to drive anywhere. When we strip worship of its weird beauty (the beauty of the Sacraments, preaching, liturgy, mystery), we’re... Continue Reading
Gentleness – All About Communication
In the New Testament, gentleness usually has to do with communication, both verbal and non-verbal.
Gentle people reach out to others in ways that make others want to reach out to them. Communication is easy, or at least looks easy, for the Christian who has disciplined himself to bear such fruit. Are you gentle? Ask yourself, “do others welcome me readily when I approach them?” And “do others easily come... Continue Reading
What is the Object of Our Zeal?
We may not be tempted to worship Baal this week, but where is "grace" used to excuse sin today?
Disparage and mock people who disagree with us because we are obviously “right?” Thus our “rightness” takes precedence over loving our neighbor? Not only is pride at stake but the fear of losing what makes us feel safe and perhaps our identity? Dull our consciences or compromise our ethics for the sake of a political... Continue Reading
Braving Hard Passages: The Analogy of Scripture
Creativity is not always the best virtue to rely upon when it comes to interpreting a hard passage.
The point? You must decide between Jesus and your money. In other words, who or what is your God? Rather than build your heaven on earth, Jesus is calling you to be generous and so store up treasure in heaven. Or to put it another way, have a good eye rather than an evil one. ... Continue Reading