Heavenly Stepping-Stones
How do we prepare for the day of judgment as we worship on a Sunday morning?
Have you ever noticed in reading the Gospels that Jesus appeared to be most active on the Sabbath day? In addition to preaching, He performed numerous works of healing on this day. The list of Sabbath healings includes the man with the withered hand, the demon-possessed man in Capernaum, the woman bent double for eighteen... Continue Reading
The Slow Miracle of the Lord’s Day
Have patience in the work of Sabbath observance—in your own heart and in the response of the congregation.
This reorienting perspective becomes an antidote for spiritual thrill-seeking and an assurance that the tried and true ways are still the best. Instead of looking for spiritual highs, we can rest in the surety of God’s promises—even when we do not feel like it. In addition, we are also kept from over-intellectualizing worship as we... Continue Reading
Four Reasons to Remember Your Creator in Youth
It’s not too late to remember Him, before these evil days come even nearer.
Why do far more of us become Christians in our youth than in our middle or old age? It’s because youthful years are sensitive years. Without giving up our belief in “Total Depravity” we can say that it’s “easier” to believe and repent when we are younger. It’s never easy, but it’s easier. And it’s... Continue Reading
Reflections on Hebrews and James: The New Testament teaches us how to read the Old
Hebrews and James are rich in instructions that open up the purpose and meaning of the Books of Moses.
What if the Epistle to the Hebrews were not in our Bibles? Hebrews makes a unique contribution to our understanding of the purpose and meaning of the Old Testament law. In Hebrews, we learn how the Aaronic priesthood and the tabernacle and sacrifices were all given to point the Jews (and everyone else) to Jesus... Continue Reading
Freely Forgiven, Freely Forgive
Since we've been freely forgiven by God, we should stand ready to freely forgive others
“We can see the evidences of our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins in our lives by seeing the fruit of forgiveness towards others. This is one of the proofs that the Spirit is working in us, because we know that on our own, we would never forgive others.” In the adult Sunday... Continue Reading
Essential Tools For Preaching Christ (Part 2)
The Bible defines preaching in terms of what it is and what its goals are
“Most New Testament examples of preaching Christ are theological and devotional rather than exegetical and redemptive historical. This stands in partial contrast to predominating patterns in contemporary approaches to preaching.” Sound exegesis is insufficient for sound preaching. This assertion might seem surprising in light of the popular resurgence of consecutive expository preaching. While we... Continue Reading
Did The Puritans Understand Suffering?
Some years ago a student came to ask me if the Puritans had a theology of suffering
“So the Puritans certainly suffered – physically, emotionally, politically. But did they have a theology of suffering? Well, few of them dwelt on their suffering in their writings so not really, no. Not explicitly so anyway. But implicitly even this silence indicated that yes, they did have a theology of suffering.” Some years ago... Continue Reading
10 Things You Should Know About Sex
Sex is powerfully pleasurable, but it cannot satisfy your heart
“It’s wonderful to celebrate the tasty pleasures of food, the stunning beauty of a fine piece of art, the sweet intimacy of sex, or the sound drama of a well-written piece of music. But as you’re celebrating pleasure, don’t forget to celebrate grace.” 1. Sex is God’s good creation. God in his great wisdom,... Continue Reading
Safe Hands?
It is the deepest longing of the human soul to know that our lives are in ‘safe hands’
“So as Jesus uttered those words, ‘Father, into your hands…’, he knew they were ‘safe hands’ – not because they had made his earthly life run smoothly; but because he knew it had run according to plan, even through the darkness and pain, and would culminate in the joy set before him in heaven.” ... Continue Reading
Engaging With 1689 (2)
For the Reformed the OT covenants were more than witnesses to and revelations of the covenant of grace, they were administrations of the substance of the covenant.
For the PBs, the OT covenants are not the covenants of grace as much as they are witnesses to the covenant of grace. For the Reformed the OT covenants are earthly, historical, real, external, administrations of the one covenant of grace through types and shadows. Last time I offered a rough taxonomy of contemporary Baptists in... Continue Reading