The context of a sermon is far more like being gathered into the upper room with Jesus (John 13-17), where he washes his disciples’ feet, speaks to them of his love, joy and peace, in words saturated with grace, the likes of which none of us has ever seen. In the upper room, we get... Continue Reading

A good song is the melding of beautiful lyrics with an appropriate melody. We can have the most beautiful lyrics, but if they are trapped in an inappropriate melody, they will lose their luster and perhaps even communicate something that the lyrics do not intend. In the same way, the words/content of our sermon, no... Continue Reading

When the Devil tells you that you can avoid the ultimate choice between obedience to God and obedience to the world by privatizing your faith and becoming schizophrenic—that is, by following one law in church and a different law in parliament—this is a trick. You cannot have it both ways. Either Jesus is Lord of... Continue Reading

There’s more to Christ’s authority in the Church than meets the eye. Although church leaders constitute a visible government, they are only a fraction of the authority that Christ has vested in His Body through His Anointing in the Holy Spirit. The invisible anointing in the Holy Spirit, which confers authority on all believers, must... Continue Reading

While 1 Timothy 4:12-13 does acknowledge youth as being a problem for some, it does not seem to see it as an obstacle for preachers. Quite the opposite. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers as an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I... Continue Reading

Not until suffering strips away sentiment and makes you long for a God who isn’t reacting, but reigning. Not scrambling for answers, but already working redemption. Because suffering burns off the excess. It peels back the polished and leaves only what’s real. And what’s real must be true. Suffering doesn’t just refine. It reveals.  ... Continue Reading

I had been exposed to Reformed theology through Grace to You and Ligonier ministries, and I was wholly embracing the concept of a high view of the sovereignty of God.  Should I take advantage of the scholarship offer and attend Asbury, knowing my growing convictions would be out of line?  That set up a heavy... Continue Reading

Carver was a deeply devoted Christian. He attributed inspiration of his work to God, and his studies of nature convinced him of the existence and benevolence of the Creator: “Never since have I been without this consciousness of the Creator speaking to me….The out of doors has been to me more and more a great... Continue Reading

There are three things that are preeminent: the Bible, the Gospel, and the Christian Life. Anyone that is for these is for Christ and a friend. This is why MacArthur and [R.C.] Sproul had such a beneficial friendship. Not because they agreed about everything. Not even close. But because they agreed about those things everything... Continue Reading

Far from undermining his sense of assurance, the doctrine of unconditional election brought Whitefield tremendous spiritual consolation. In his experience, the two doctrines were inextricably linked. He wrote to one correspondent, “Oh the excellency of the doctrine of election, and of the final perseverance of the saints, to those who are sealed by the Spirit... Continue Reading