Elijah’s mantle would take a very important place in Elisha’s life in the coming chapters, but what we will focus on today is the willingness of Elisha to forsake mother, father, home, and wealth to follow the call of the Lord.* The call of a prophet was not a luxurious call nor a safe call.... Continue Reading

One funeral message. No grand theological insight or exegesis. I just tell the story. I know it well so I can look the mourners in the eye and tell them about Jesus. I open by asking them, what would Jesus say if He were here? What words of comfort and hope would He bring? And... Continue Reading

Because the disciples were not expecting a Messiah who would suffer and die, their hopes were dashed. But Jesus says that they should have expected this! They were slow of heart to believe the prophets. (This includes Jesus, whom they describe as a prophet in Luke 24:19 and who spoke about his suffering and death... Continue Reading

In James 5:16-17, where we find that memorable verse about the prayer of a righteous man having great power in its effects, we also see a reminder from Elijah’s life. James does not offer Elijah’s prophetic command that it will not rain as any sort of example to us (see 1 Kings 17), but the... Continue Reading

Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites led the people in worship. The people listened well, were attentive to the Word, and considered what they were supposed to do. In fact, the people were heartbroken because they realized they had not been doing everything God expected from them. So notice what advice they were given… Go, live, serve,... Continue Reading

“Yet notwithstanding, the person of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works are also accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreproveable in God’s sight; but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward  that which is sincere, although accompanied by... Continue Reading

This is a conversation that has often brought into question the goodness of God. It raises uncomfortable questions. Yet it is helpful to ask these questions not just of each other, but of our faithful brothers and sisters throughout church history. One Puritan, in particular, can help us here. Puritan Thomas Watson looks to Romans... Continue Reading

Whether we are tempted to pay homage to athletes, actors, politicians, religious leaders, books, music, a landscape, or religious objects, we must understand that Jesus alone can cure our hearts of the propensity we have to churn out idols. As we look to Him by faith, our hearts are drawn off of the world and... Continue Reading

Abraham’s justification by faith—an act of God—was shown to be real in his sanctification, a work of God—his faith was tested and yielded the fruit of good works (James 2:22). God’s justification necessarily leads to God’s sanctification. Abraham and those whom God has justified by faith in Christ show themselves to be true people of... Continue Reading

Every one of us who has come to Christ knows what it is to trust God. We came to Christ acknowledging that we have nothing to offer – that we have Christ alone. That’s all. And we entrust ourselves wholly to him, believing his promise and trusting in his saving work. And not just for... Continue Reading