Take a Break and Give One Too.
There will be many times when we are put in a position to make assumptions or judgments regarding other people.
When we judge, we must recognize it is more of an art than a science. Oft times a person is completely unaware of his own internal motivations. Therefore, it is almost impossible for his reasons or motivations to be rightly discerned by those looking quickly from without. Consequently, when we judge, we must recognize we often... Continue Reading
Why the Bible is Not the Final Authority!
The Bible is God’s inerrant Word, but who and how the Word is interpreted can become its final authority for doctrine and life.
If you are under the influence of a Baptist minister, then you will be taught from the Bible that the baptism of infants is unbiblical. If you are under the influence of a Presbyterian minister, then you will be persuaded by examining the Bible that covenant baptism is biblical. If you change views, most likely you have changed teachers or changed the books that you read. In real life, your appointed or preferred interpreter of the Bible becomes the final authority — and not the Bible itself.
God Never Forgets Us
Throughout Scripture, our faithful, covenant Lord reminds us, “I will remember”
“We forget that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. We forget that God will make all things new in the new heaven and new earth. We forget God’s promises. We forget the law. We forget the gospel. We forget God’s faithfulness. And yet, God never forgets us.” We are a forgetful people.... Continue Reading
Limited Atonement: A Look at Isaiah 53
There are several points in these verses that help us develop a doctrine of effective atonement
First, limited atonement does not mean that the gospel announcement should not go to all people. The call of the gospel is “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” We announce that to all people. The concept of “limited atonement” does not mean that we limit the power of the... Continue Reading
Are You Allergic to God’s Judgment?
Many of us do have at least a mild allergy to God’s judgment, especially in preaching
“Declawing the Bible of its warnings against and judgments upon sin is not good for the church. In other words, being allergic to God’s judgment is unhealthy for both the preacher and the church.” I have a lot of allergies. My allergies are enough for me to be reminded and for others to notice. I... Continue Reading
Sweet Promises of Blessing, Terrible Threats of Judgment
When it comes to the relationship of children to their parents, the Bible holds out sweet promises of blessing but also terrible threats of judgment
What happens to those who heed nature, law, and gospel to honor their parents? God blesses them: “…that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” God’s blessing for those who obey the fifth commandment takes shape in two forms: a long life and a good life. These... Continue Reading
Jesus Isn’t Threatened by Your Christmas Gifts
We don’t threaten the wonder of the incarnation when we give nice gifts to the ones we love and when we look forward to receiving them.
Jesus isn’t threatened by Christmas gifts. He doesn’t get better when we diminish or downplay them, either by eschewing them altogether or by contenting ourselves with gifts that are frugal, that cost us nearly nothing and really aren’t that good. We don’t threaten the wonder of the incarnation when we give nice gifts to the ones we love and when we look forward to receiving them. We don’t need to spiritualize these gifts by assuring ourselves that Jesus is the greatest gift of all.
The Soul Felt Its Worth
Every human being, no matter their gender, race, appearance, accomplishments, etc., is created in God's image, and as such has unique value
But Christian doctrine also, I think, prompts us to discover our value in the lengths that our Triune God went to in order to rescue us from sin, death, and hell. This truth is captured by that gripping line in the nineteenth-century Christmas hymn O Holy Night: "He appeared, and the soul felt its worth." The worth discovered, or felt, by virtue of Christ's incarnation is the simple yet profound worth of being simply and profoundly loved by another. It is the recognition that "he" appeared not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many, of whom, for reasons I will never fully fathom, I am one.
Sorrow, Depression, & the Holidays
Here are 11 truths for strength in sorrow
It’s not abnormal to feel depressed at times. A bout with depression is less a clinical thing, and more a normal thing. That is not to say that everyone experiences the same level of depression, but everyone experiences some level of it. For the most part, depression is somewhat normal because we all live somewhere between Genesis 3 and Revelation 20. Since we are all fallen human beings living in fallen bodies on a fallen earth, then the presence of sorrow means that things are probably pretty normal. It just means that you’re alive.
Which Jesus?
Many people say they believe in "Jesus," but sadly we live in a day when we need to press the issue and ask "Which Jesus?"
In the 1st century, one heresy that crept into the church was Docetism. According to this teaching, Jesus only appeared to have a physical body. Thus there was no problem with His deity but a rejection of His humanity. This fit in well with the Gnostic idea that the physical and material was evil, and the metaphysical and immaterial was good. But the implications for the gospel are dire.