Trusting God in the Face of Tragedy
We are called to live by faith, to trust God when we can’t see how it all works together for good.
Faith is all about trusting God when we don’t see the whole picture. When we don’t have all the answers – or any answers. When we don’t understand what God is doing. When we can’t even begin to imagine how something as horrific as this could possibly lead to the good of those who love... Continue Reading
It’s Just the Way I Am?
A Peace Treaty with Sin?
Instead of warring against the sinful passions of their own flesh, a person who believes that it’s possible to be a “carnal Christian” begins to think, “Well, I just have a temper [or insert any besetting sin here]. That’s just the way it is, and I can’t do anything about it.” In this same vein,... Continue Reading
A Liberating Theology?
As with Liberation Theology, Black Liberation Theology begins with the experience of oppression at the hands of oppressors and seeks to find liberation from it.
Liberation Theology seems to reinforce a victimology that perpetuates their oppression. It fails to deal with real personal sin while shifting blame to other corporate entities. It militates against true reconciliation. It can be argued that Liberation Theology has a deep compassion for the hurting, the marginalized, the poor, and the oppressed. But Liberation Theology... Continue Reading
Treasure in Earthen Vessels
A Christian is an earthen vessel whose weaknesses work to showcase the glory of the One who indwells him or her.
The question is not whether a believer will face difficulties and experience human weakness. The question is when. Will you trust that in those moments Christ is just as strong, just as glorious, just as much your Lord, life and Savior as He ever has been? Because He indwells every believer, and indwells you whose... Continue Reading
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