Our Call to Worship: Is It Well with Our Singing?
That God’s people should sing is a non-negotiable essential of Christian practice.
“Sing to one another” is the clearest musical command that the church has been given. It is also profoundly simple. It compels us to make our song choices and musical techniques expertly crafted to serve that end: congregations singing well together. At the forefront of a creation that praises its Creator (Psalm 148) stands... Continue Reading
What Is Distinct about the Theology of Revelation?
Christ has conquered as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, as the Lamb who was slain to redeem his people.
A world is coming in which there are no more tears and no more sorrows and no more pain. At that time, believers will fulfill God’s purpose for them, reigning as kings and priests with Jesus Christ, and we will have exciting tasks to carry out in the new creation. But most important of all,... Continue Reading
Leviathan Overgrown
It is now illegal in Victoria, Australia to discuss, counsel, advise or pray with persons with gender confusion or an intention to begin transition, except to affirm them, even if they ask you for help.
Love for our neighbours cannot mean we support, indirectly, the radical, untested, and dangerous sex change treatments which will ensure young people are life-long medical and mental health patients. Churches today are sorely distracted by the poison arrows coming at us from our state governments through laws that impede our ability to function independently... Continue Reading
What Kind of Woman Was Esther in the Bible?
The story of Esther is a story of court intrigue, danger, courage, surprising turnabouts, and victory.
Esther’s story functions to show God’s lovingkindness for his entire people, those in Persia, and those who returned to Israel. He uses Esther’s position as queen to save the Jews scattered throughout the Persian empire. In so doing, He enables his plan to continue so that He might, “in the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4),... Continue Reading
In Defense of Anger
To call anger inherently sinful is an explicit denial of God’s Word and condemnation of His character.
Whether we’re sinfully angry or sinfully sedated against things that should make us angry, we must seek God’s grace for our sins and the power of His Spirit to turn away from them. May God thereby discipline our anger and use it for His glory. As the West spirals further into chaos and depravity, righteous men... Continue Reading
What Happens to Churches When Population Falls
How megachurches are like Tokyo.
American visitors to Japan primarily visit Tokyo, and perhaps Kyoto. They see a thriving metropolis and assume all is well. They never see the reality of the hinterland. Similarly, when a newcomer arrives in a community and asks for church references, they are likely to be steered to the town’s thriving churches. I see this... Continue Reading
The Already/Not Yet Christian Mindset
Since we have the mind of Christ, we put on the mind of Christ.
Through His Spirit, Christ has given His regenerate people His own mind to discern and comprehend what the natural man cannot. This is why you see the world so differently from your unbelieving friends and family. Christians think through every issue in life with spiritual (albeit imperfect) minds—that is, minds that have been enlightened by... Continue Reading
The Old Testament Justification by Faith: An Old Testament Doctrine
You cannot stand on your own merits, but if you stand in Christ, it will be enough to stand before God both now and for eternity.
Since justification entails a right standing with God, it is necessary that sin be forgiven and that one be made righteous. Just as Christ bore our sin at the Cross (whereby we have pardon), so also when we believe in Christ, His righteousness is credited to us. We did not accomplish or earn the righteousness... Continue Reading
Who Are ‘The Least of These’?
Matthew 25 equates caring for Jesus’s spiritual family with caring for Jesus.
It makes more sense to think Jesus is comparing service to fellow believers with service to him, rather than to hear him saying, “You should see my image in the faces of the poor.” Granted, Jesus was a “man of sorrows,” so other sufferers may be able to identify with Jesus in a special way.... Continue Reading
Good Leaders Come and Go
The church simply needs leaders who will boldly and gladly embrace sacrificial responsibility for the good of their community.
Friend, you are not Moses. You are not the last guy. God never meant you to be. Honor your predecessor not by being a better version of him but by building on whatever good foundation he left behind. We are all interim. I have often reminded myself of this fact in recent years. When... Continue Reading
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