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The Unstoppable Word of Christ, Part 3 - It Started Small But Will End Massive
(Mark 4:30-32)
During his day, some were tempted to despise the small things as they tried to rebuild the temple in Israel (Zechariah 4:10). It seemed like a small work, but God didn't want them to despise it because it was a good work. (4 Minutes/1100 Words)
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Jesus Inaugurated the Age of the Spirit
(Mark 1:8)
The prophets of old had predicted a day would come when the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon God's people, forming a new and special relationship never before seen in God's chosen people. (2 Minutes/550 Words)
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The Life of David Loving Your Enemies
(1 Samuel 24)
Jesus taught hard, radical things. During his sermon on the mount, he said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” (Matthew 5:43). It seems that, by the time of Christ, the religious leaders had taken the Old Testament command to ‘love your neighbor’ to mean one should also hate their enemy. Their teaching was, of course, a perversion of God’s word. Jesus corrected, and then addended their teaching. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). (15 Minutes, 4000 Words)
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How To Love God's People
Part 1
(1 John 3:11-12)
In our last few studies of 1 John, we celebrated the glorious truth that God loves us so much that He decided to call all believers His children. In this next passage, 1 John 3:11-18, we have a much more difficult truth to digest. It's this: If God has made us into His spiritual family, we must love our spiritual siblings. Last week, you may have celebrated God's love for you, but you must struggle to show your love for others. This passage gives us practical help on how to demonstrate Christian love. (6 Minutes/1700 Words)
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The Life of David: Protected by God
(1 Samuel 19)
Early in the public ministry of Christ, during a time when His popularity was shooting forth, He taught in a house in Capernaum. His presence had rocked that region, so the house overflowed with people. (14 Minutes/3700 Words)
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Election Year Encouragements for Our Congregation
As everyone is aware, we are in a divisive presidential election season. Though I love my country and consider myself blessed to be a citizen here, as a senior pastor, I grin and bear these seasons every four years. But this year, I thought it could be helpful to offer some pastoral counsel for this election. I want to point you afresh to Jesus and give you some biblical pillars during this disruptive time. (8 Minutes/2000 Words)
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The Mission Statement of a Christ Follower
Archival Post & Podcast
Modern companies have mission statements, a guiding sentence or phrase for all they do. Christians, in a sense, have a mission statement also. If pressed for it, I would turn to Romans 12:1-2. Here, in response to the glorious gospel he wrote about in Romans 1-11, Paul concludes: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” (12 Minutes /2500 Words)
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I had an experience recently that illustrates the truth of our next song. As a runner, I sometimes enjoy heading to a local school to run their track. There, I must decide which lane to run in. The unwritten rule is that the slower runners take the outside “walking” lanes, while the faster runners run on the inside lanes. On this particular day, I chose lane three. I figured I was in the faster half, but the slowest of that group. (12 Minutes/3000 Words)
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To Abhor Evil Is Part of Love
Archival Post
In this section of Romans, Paul laid out the case for love. He exhorted believers to honor God with their bodies by loving their fellow believer and showing hospitality. He urged us to outdo one another in showing honor. Our love is to be strong. (3 Minutes/800 Words)
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Our pilgrim has come far on his journey. In his first few songs, he consecrated himself for the climb to Jerusalem. He also realized God would help him on the path, and he celebrated the gathering together of God's people. But his journey, like ours, is about interaction with God, not only in the sublime and spiritual, but in the daily and earthy stuff of life. (15 Minutes, 3800 Words)
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