Overcoming a Disordered Life to Stay Focused on Honoring Jesus
Four Requirements for Overcoming A Disordered Life
At the very core of God’s design of humans is his intention for us to order, shape, exercise dominion over ourselves and our surroundings. In a world where reaching nearly every worthwhile goal requires careful thought and planning, why would we assume that accomplishing God’s mission for our lives would be any different? The starting point... Continue Reading
Preaching and Criticism: How Does the Expositor Remain Faithful to His Calling
Believe the Sufficiency of the Scriptures Your People Will Hear
Only through the Scriptures are our people equipped for a life of holiness. Only through the Scriptures does the Spirit perform His work of sanctification. Though every expositor will receive his criticism, preaching the Scriptures is not a burden, it’s a privilege—the privilege of being used by God, to do His work, of preparing His people,... Continue Reading
Does Jesus Really Want Me to Gouge Out My Eye or Cut off My Hand?
This is a challenging message because Jesus’ meaning is so clear: we must do whatever it takes to avoid the sin of adultery.
While we cannot heal our hearts by the mutilation of our own bodies, we must never forget that Jesus came to heal our hearts through the mutilation of his own body. Gouging out our eyes, or cutting off our hands, could never cleanse the impurities of our hearts; however, Jesus’ broken body and shed blood is... Continue Reading
The Spirit in Elisha’s Life: A Preview of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant
Elisha is an example of how, when we trust the one, true God, all of us can know and walk with him through the Holy Spirit because of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done.
Jesus Christ came as the Second Elisha, the ultimate Spirit-empowered prophet, and he succeeded in his conquest, making it possible for anyone who believed to experience new life through the Holy Spirit under the new covenant. Elisha’s life anticipated the life of Christ, and in doing so it also anticipates the Spirit-filled life all Christ-followers... Continue Reading
Effectual Calling and Conversion
It is a sovereign work of God, “effectually” (that is, effectively) performed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Through the effectual calling, God gives life to the dead. The outward call of God to faith in Christ is communicated everywhere through reading, preaching, and explaining the gospel. In the inner, effectual call the Holy Spirit enlightens the mind and renews the heart of those God has chosen so that the gospel is accepted... Continue Reading
Why Did Jesus Forgive the Paralytic Before Healing Him?
Christ who died for us is the one who is in authority over our healing and over our forgiveness.
Forgiveness and healing are combined in this narrative because they are combined in the authority of Jesus. That is the point that Mark wants us to see. This isn’t meant to give us a point about the importance of forgiveness over against the importance of physical healing (you can make that point elsewhere, but it’s not here).... Continue Reading
Distinctively Christian Retirement: A Biblical Call To Serve Jesus Well In Older Age: An Excerpt
If age and health issues are limiting factors for you, what might your service of Jesus look like?
Perhaps you are convinced that those who are older or who have health issues should be active in serving God, but you find it hard to picture what that looks like. After all, you might not be able to preach or lead a congregation or head to the mission field. If age and health issues... Continue Reading
Jesus’ Favorite Title for Jesus
He came down from heaven as Son of Man among the sons and daughters of Adam.
“Son of Man” is just as much about Jesus’s divinity as it is his humanity. This title proves to be perhaps the most effective way Jesus reveals and conceals who he really is. By using “Son of Man,” he is able to minister undercover, so to speak, on earth. The hit CBS show Undercover Boss... Continue Reading
Should Christians Hang Out With Sinners Like Jesus Did?
We are not incorruptible. Jesus could hang out with sinners in ways that we cannot.
We must put up firewalls against evil influence; yet, we don’t shun sinners as a plague. Instead, we offer them the humble summons of the gospel. We invite them to see Christ as the doctor of salvation and to repent as sinners. Wisely, we do not sit with scoffers, but we do plead the gospel... Continue Reading
Jesus Isn’t Afraid of Your Investigation
Jesus knows what He’s about. And He knows that what He offers is the only thing that truly satisfies.
Jesus is not afraid of your investigation. He’s not afraid to invite you in – to bring you close – because He knows who He is. And He knows what He is offering. There is no guile, no insecurity, no anger at those who are truly seeking. There is no insecurity in the Son... Continue Reading
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