"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." This quote by A.W. Tozer is true because our understanding of God and our response to him shapes our actions and character and determines how well we know and trust him. Even people who say there is no … Continue reading The Most Important Thing About Us
The cross of Christ is the source of every blessing, even the blessings enjoyed by unbelievers. As Christians, we are quick to acknowledge that every gift enjoyed by the redeemed child of God is an act of grace linked to the cross of Christ, but we rarely think that the unbeliever is also receiving grace. … Continue reading How the Cross Blesses Unbelievers
I recently had an experience that reminded me of the need to stay mentally sharp and pursue intellectual growth. The month of June was hectic. First, my wife and I spent a week working at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in the Chicago area. Then we spent a week with my parents and siblings in … Continue reading Pursuing Intellectual Growth for God’s Glory
This sermon delivered at First Artesia CRC unpacks 2 Timothy 4:1-5 in three heads. 1. Why preaching the Word is the most important activity of the church. 2. What is preaching? 3. Three ways Christians neglect the preaching of the word.
Over the years, corporate worship in many churches has been vanishing. The calling of the local church, first and foremost, is to gather for worship, but we do it much less frequently now than we did in the past. Sinclair Ferguson has a test he likes to apply to those who tell him that the … Continue reading The Disappearance of Corporate Worship
"Come on, Apostle Paul! Are you serious?" That is an understandably frustrated response to Paul's cryptic phrase, "I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need" (Phil 4:12). Why is frustration to this verse so understandable? Because Paul does not share his secret! Before this sentence, he discusses the Philippians' renewed … Continue reading The Frustrating (and Liberating) Secret of the Apostle Paul
The "yoke" symbolizes subjection and obedience. The yoke of Jesus includes the subjection of the understanding to His teaching. We must receive the kingdom of God as little children. All that He says, we must believe; and all that He commands, we must do. The yoke of Jesus includes the subjection of the conscience to … Continue reading The Yoke of Christ
Paul Washer, the great man of God, often says, “There is no such thing as a great man of God, only weak, pitiful, faithless men of a great and merciful God.” Is he right? Before we seek to answer that question from a biblical perspective, we should recognize the importance of the question. This question … Continue reading Are There Great Men of God?
I find the Lord's activity in the lives of the Babylonian kings' when the Israelites were in captivity fascinating. I cannot help but think that it was because of the presence of the people of God that the Lord worked miracles in the lives of these pagan monarchs. There have been countless pagan rulers who … Continue reading Expect God to Work in the Lives of People Around You
Interestingly, God shut the mouths of the lions instead of keeping Daniel out of the den altogether. I am often dismayed at how little effect I think prayer will have in most situations. When the lions roar, my lack of prayer is the first evidence of my weakness of faith. Then I read of events … Continue reading In the Lion’s Den
The Fight of Faith 