The Old Testament contains a strong hope of resurrection, seen in texts like Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones coming to life, Daniel 12:2’s promise of awakening from death, and Isaiah 26:19’s declaration of the dead rising. These passages, alongside others from Psalms and Job, point to God’s power to bring life to the dead.  ... Continue Reading

This world is full of fake smiles, of smoke and mirrors and pretending. But the church should not be like the world around it. As Christians, we gather as a people that rejoices in God’s undeserved grace and that trusts that our great God and Savior will one day bring an end to all sin,... Continue Reading

God’s Word not only warns us about becoming bitter, but it also gives us clear instructions on how to respond to others who are bitter and perpetually contentions persons: “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11).   There are several... Continue Reading

Remaining temptation is not a sign of God’s lack of care for us. Rather, we should see remaining temptation as God’s grace to us….Let temptations drive us to be watchful, to draw near, and to love grace more.    The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may... Continue Reading

Most people in the world believe that they are “basically good.” This false version of Christianity simply tells people what they want to hear about themselves. Some scholars have called it “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism,” with the central idea being that everyone is basically good but needs some therapy, that God wants everyone everywhere to be... Continue Reading

The assembly of Christians must not rest contented with the manifestation of the gift of tongues, the sign of judgment given over the unbeliever, If the unbeliever is to be convinced that he is a sinner, the spokesmen in the assembly must move on from tongues to prophecy (1 Cor. 14:24). Then the secrets of... Continue Reading

The future of the art of apologizing without repentance may be seen from a redraft of David’s Psalm 51 in modern terms. “Please let me off the hook, and do not punish me, O God. According to your vacuum of justice, redefine my “sin.” Surely it is not as bad as the preacher and other... Continue Reading

The variety of Jesus’ prayers in the gospels makes clear that prayer comes in different forms, such as petition, thanksgiving, and intercession. As the believer grows in his or her faith, he or she will naturally learn to pray in moments of crisis or when discernment is needed. Regular times of prayer will foster a... Continue Reading

Just as the athletes discarded everything and competed gumnos—free from anything that could possibly burden them—so we must get rid of every encumbrance, every association, habit, and tendency that impedes godliness. If we are to excel, we must strip ourselves to a lean, spiritual nakedness… Men, we will never get anywhere spiritually without a conscious... Continue Reading

It’s not ordinary to resist the erotic pulls of the heart. It can be done only with the power God gives through union with Christ and his Spirit driving us to worship him and put him first in our lives. We commit our unmet desires to God for him to satisfy in his own way—in... Continue Reading