It’s about the Holy Spirit and what he does. He brings Jesus into your heart, again and again. That sermon, or the way you read the Bible, or the way you mull over the meaning of your life—that’s the key, that Jesus loves you.   I hear different kinds of sermons, some my own. Many... Continue Reading

To consider only myself and my future is actually selfish.  The covenant teaches me that more important than myself are the generations that will follow me.  I may want to escape the trials of this earth, but my children and grandchildren will have to live in a world that we leave to them.  Better to... Continue Reading

“Tobler has never quite learned to be obedient. Stubborn to a fault, he remains invincibly ignorant of the meaning of the command come. He will come eventually, of course, but only on his own terms. The biggest problem, however, is that Tobler is an inveterate thief. He loves to steal stuffed animals, socks, and other... Continue Reading

“The church is not to be foolishly optimistic and expect a favorable reception from all men. Christ’s body should not be surprised when the ministry of Christ separates friends and family members. The Prince of Peace, who gives peace to his own people, came not to give peace to the earth. Some will welcome the... Continue Reading

“God has uniquely gifted every person. Leaders are tasked with seeing those gifts, feeding them, and giving people room to use them to the fullest extent. Micromanagers either cannot or will not do this. They see people as tools to be wielded or foolish sheep to be shepherded. They cannot recognize that the people under... Continue Reading

“We are all debtors who cannot pay their debts to God. Yet God has been gracious enough to grant us forgiveness in Jesus Christ. It is no wonder that in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus instructs His disciples to say, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” There is a parallel, a joint movement... Continue Reading

“Jesus says to us today, as he did to Pharisees, if you think yourselves far removed from murderers – you who are free from actual bloodshed – have you not hated, insulted, or wished someone dead? A murderer actually carries out this wish. But you have the same kind of anger as a murderer, and... Continue Reading

“The purpose of this post is to call pastors to see the importance of committing themselves to the church of God, first and foremost–as men who shepherd His flock on a weekly basis; and then, having given themselves to this glorious work, give themselves to theological writing, training and ministry for the well-being of the broader... Continue Reading

“More than just dealing with children, the fifth commandment also covers our obligation toward our children. “The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q/A 64). The 17th century divines teach us that children... Continue Reading

First, the best thing that is coming out of the Mars Hill debacle is a discussion about accountability. If Christians require accountability within the church, pastors require at least a double measure of accountability. Genuine accountability is not found in para-church structures or corporate-style boards. Elders need to be accountable to one another in the... Continue Reading