Compromising the Truth in Love (of Self)
There are often long-standing underlying patterns of non-biblical responses to people and circumstances that must be exposed.
People come to be counseled assuming that you will accept their self-definition of their problem. If you do so, you will invariably give them advice that does not help them. Often, such advice will make their problems worse rather than better, but they will leave thinking of you as kind, caring, and compassionate. If you... Continue Reading
Three Reasons to Include a Concise Summary of the Gospel in Every Sermon
I’m talking about inserting, somewhere in your sermon, a short explanation of the main truths about who Jesus is and what he has done, along with an exhortation to repent and believe.
I was persuaded of the wisdom of this approach about fifteen years ago. Having now followed it faithfully for over a decade, I can see many benefits of including a concise gospel summary in nearly every sermon. Here are three reasons for your friendly consideration for why you should adopt this approach as well. Among... Continue Reading
Changing the World. One Word at a Time
Maybe someday Jesus will use me for something “big”, but I don’t think that’s how God does most of his work.
But I can make a difference in the lives of those who are in my immediate circle of influence. My kids. My wife. The people at the coffee shop I usually go to. The people in my community group and Bible study. And one of the simplest, yet most profound ways I can make a difference... Continue Reading
Five “Short-Timers” Who May Not Stay Long at Your Church
One of the reasons there is more than one church in nearly every town in America is because none of us is capable of being everyone’s pastor.
Sometimes, no matter what you do, people are going to leave. In my experience, there are five types of individuals who are most likely to not stay very long. I’m afraid there is nothing in this article that will help you keep them. But perhaps, if you have advanced warning, their departure won’t hurt so... Continue Reading
Dangers of Non-Christocentric Preaching: Moralistic Sermons
The difference between preaching the moral truths of the Bible and preaching moralism is whether or not the meaning (not simply the significance) of the truth is contextualized by the gospel of the kingdom.
We are to preach Christ from the entire Bible because proper exegesis demands it. The Scripture is not an inspired book of moralisms or a book of virtues; it is, from cover to cover, a book about the glory of God in Jesus Christ through the redemption of his people who will dwell in the... Continue Reading
Evangelical Conference [PCA] To Discuss Bringing ‘Queer Treasure, Honor, And Glory’ Into Heaven
The PCA, one of the country’s last remaining influential conservative Protestant denominations is in conflict because of a conference to be held in St. Louis at the end of July.
While they say they’re committed to not having gay sex, some Revoice leaders argue there are good things about homosexual desire itself, such as bestowing a greater capacity for friendship and for appreciating beauty. That belief has raised alarms that Revoice proponents with same-sex attraction see themselves as part of the larger gay community to... Continue Reading
Light into Darkness: How To Evangelize Muslims
Many people view Islam and Christianity as merely two different paths leading to the same destination.
“We all worship God and just call him by different names,” goes the apologetic for Universalism. Muslims and Christians pray, give, serve, and proselytize. And we are all very sincere. But worship is useless if it is offered to the wrong god. The Italian film, Life is Beautiful, is a foreign film about an Italian... Continue Reading
5 Reasons Churches Should Teach Theology to Children
A focus on reading and teaching Scripture to children does not—and must not—mean that we fail to educate them theologically as well.
There is no substitute for the Word of God; let’s read, teach, and explain the Bible to the children of our churches with joy . . . and with no apologies! But, let’s also intentionally teach, train, and shape our children to think in theological categories along the way. It will be life-giving for them, and for... Continue Reading
The Zwinglian Option
Think about it. Take away the music and we have little left to fight about.
The loss would be significant, yet the gains would be abundant. No more heartburn for traditionalists when the bongo drums and tamborines are unleashed. No more inward groans when we sing a mediocre modern tune with mediocre lyrics as led by unordained “worship leaders.” For the other side of the spectrum, we’d have to give... Continue Reading
What Is The Regulative Principle?
The corporate worship of God is to be founded upon specific directions of Scripture
It is important to realize that the regulative principle as applied to public worship frees the church from acts of impropriety and idiocy — we are not free, for example, to advertise that performing clowns will mime the Bible lesson at next week’s Sunday service. Yet it does not commit the church to a “cookie-cutter,”... Continue Reading
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