Just mark it down right now: the devil is a liar. He says our sin is so small that it won’t affect us, and our good works are so insignificant that they won’t impact anyone else. But there is no such thing as an action without a reaction. In God’s kingdom, everything matters. Here’s how…... Continue Reading

There are some who have found the one, true God. They worship a different Master and are committed to a singular purpose and mission. They have found (or rather, been found by) the Lord Himself, and they have experienced His eternal salvation and are held by His overwhelming strength.   “But as for me, I... Continue Reading

Prayer isn’t the benediction we add to missions work—it IS the work. Discover why this truth changes everything about reaching the world.   If we are going to work for God, we must do it God’s way. If we are going to reach the world with the gospel, we must do it God’s way. In... Continue Reading

Everyday local church ministry is essential for the health and growth of the body of Christ. What does all of this mean for us today?   I will never forget the day I sat across from a young man in our church and was tempted to say, “Online Pastor [Fill-in-the-Blank] doesn’t love you the way... Continue Reading

Why does John speak of being absolved of all unrighteousness when we approach the throne of grace confessing even just one sin? That’s because the gospel itself is in view. All of our sins were laid on the incarnate, unblemished Lamb of God and were dealt with by His death on the cross.   How... Continue Reading

When an exiled sinner who has been thrown out of God’s house and therefore out of fellowship with the Creator, is called by God to come home, the Spirit is sent to recreate and bring them to life by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, this faith and repentance cleanses us and... Continue Reading

Just as the priests of ancient Israel regulated membership in the people of God and their ability to approach the temple through sacrifices, so the whole congregation, together with its pastors, acts as priests and temple. We exercise our priestly function by teaching God’s word and by guarding the membership through the ordinances.   What... Continue Reading

Knowing about God, Man, and Christ is vital, but information alone doesn’t save. The gospel demands a personal response, consistently presented in Scripture as repentance and faith. Paul summarized his ministry as testifying “of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).   Sharing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ... Continue Reading

This text promises God’s people contentment in Christ, irrespective of our economic level. There is absolutely no room for a health, wealth, and prosperity interpretation of this text.   I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 The Popular Misinterpretation In a popular daily devotional, one well-known pastor explains the promise... Continue Reading

What’s important for congregants to understand is that it is not only listeners who need to remain undistracted, who need to battle to keep their minds focused and their thoughts directed. The preacher fights the same battle….So, just as we pray for undistracted minds for those who listen, we would do well to pray for... Continue Reading