What A Wonderful Word – Psalm 19
If the Holy Scriptures are a scalpel to cut, they are also balm to cure, light to lead to Christ, and power to mend the gait till the reader walks right paths.
It is a wonderful thing to delight in the glory of Natural Revelation, and to linger on the sweetness of Special Revelation – however, to know we have gained the intended spiritual benefit from a sermon, reading or mediation on truth, it is vital that we ask ‘Has there been something of this inward, transforming,... Continue Reading
3 Ways to Work Through Grief
In this lifetime grief will always be a reality, but God promises it won’t always be this way.
In the church, Christians have a community to support them as they mourn and grieve. The Bible calls Christians to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). When the body of Christ weeps for one another, the stage is set for genuine Christian encouragement. True Christian encouragement is not an energetic pep talk or a... Continue Reading
Repentance and Salvation
Repentance is necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
To teach that repentance follows justification and pardon is to teach contrary to the language and meaning of Scripture. It is to teach that we can and should expect pardon without repentance because we are pardoned before (logically or temporally) repentance. It is to teach a form of carnal Christianity because impenitent sinners are justified... Continue Reading
When We Want to Give Up Waiting
Don’t settle for what is humanly possible; wait for what only God can do.
What is happening in our waiting? Is it just an empty space between our prayers and their fulfillment? No, in our waiting, God does his deepest work. God is sanctifying us and teaching us to trust him. Sometimes we get what we are waiting for, and we rejoice and are grateful. Other times, we never see... Continue Reading
Expository Thoughts: Philippians 1v18-25 – the Best Gospel Minsters Are Those Who Really Want to Be Somewhere Else
Rather than finding our identity in our ministry, and our value in our uselessness to others, we need to ensure that we find our identity in Christ alone.
Paul tells the Philippians that he wants to die but is willing to stay and serve, to enable them to progress in joy and faith (v25). I suspect that this is the opposite attitude to life and ministry of most of us. Paul wanted to die but was willing to stay and serve. I fear... Continue Reading
Why Do We Need Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms?
Creeds, confessions, and catechisms, then, are vital for upholding, teaching, defending, and maintaining the word of God.
The creeds, confessions, and catechisms of the church form the core curriculum for teaching Christians the faith. Catechesis is a word that simply means teaching. Catechisms, however, are usually a specific format of teaching through questions and answers. Children learn catechisms at an age where memorization is easy. Later in life, when young people ask lots... Continue Reading
Pastoring and the Art of Balance
Enter the pulpit or classroom with the fear of God in your heart, and leave as one humbled under the majesty of the Word.
The church has many ministries that address the social or physical needs of people, but it must remember that its core calling is the ministry of the Word. God entrusted to the church this unique gift: his special revelation in its authority, clarity, necessity, unity in Christ, efficacy, inerrant veracity, and sufficiency. Like the apostles,... Continue Reading
The Precious Power of the Blood: Five Benefits Christ Purchased for You
It is fitting to sing of his blood and, in doing so, celebrate all the riches represented by it.
Our sin and rebellion against God has put distance between us and him. In his old-covenant grace, he drew near to his covenant people called Israel. But now, in the new covenant, he draws near not to a particular ethnic people, but to all who receive his Son in faith, no matter who they are... Continue Reading
Does Your Church Truly Care for True Widows?
We look for people we can love and serve before, during, and after our services. But what about the other six-and-a-half days of the week?
Today many people, including widows, are financially wealthy but relationally impoverished. There is a great plague of loneliness in society in general and among the elderly in particular. The church has the opportunity and even the duty to provide for that relational need and many other needs among its members who are elderly or alone.... Continue Reading
Tried with Fire: Consider It All Joy
God has constantly placed His people in impossible situations, asking them to believe Him. He does the same with us.
We experience the discomfort of either a deficiency or a danger. We encounter a trial. When that trial comes, it gives us the opportunity to persist in believing God, often in spite of our circumstances. The trial is a chance to endure, and our endurance matters to God. We are most truly God’s people when we... Continue Reading
