Salvation is an achievement no one could attain on their own; not even the mightiest angels in Heaven could accomplish it. The consequences of sin, including the anger of Almighty God, had to be addressed. Who could bear this immense burden? It would instantly crush even the mightiest archangel. No one could endure it except … Continue reading More Than Atonement
Weariness is usually more spiritual than physical. Even if we are physically exhausted, it is never too much of a problem until we become emotionally drained. Throughout the Word of God, we find encouragement for such times. Here are three things to remember when your spiritual life seems depleted. Rest in God’s Sovereignty and Care … Continue reading 3 Ways to Combat Spiritual Weariness
Some aspects of biblical truth run so contrary to culture that even many in the church find them extreme. Take, for example, the author of Hebrews' admonition to his readers about resisting sin. He had already told them that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. In saying this, he was … Continue reading You Have More Fight to Give
After writing the first post in this series, the topic I discussed became real. An immunocompromised person who began attending our church in the past year got sick and, tragically, died. - CLICK TO READ MORE
I recently had the opportunity to preach a sermon on one of my favorite Psalms at First Artesia CRC. Psalm 3 tells us that salvation belongs to the Lord. In understanding this truth, we will also find that he is our glory and the lifter of our heads. The sermon takes a verse-by-verse look at the Psalm and how it applied to David and then closes with a quick review of how Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this Psalm. Click for video and audio versions.
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
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
Pride is a form of insanity because it is not based in reality. When we grow haughty of our accomplishments, we forget who gave us the gifts we used to achieve them. We also forget who gave us our lungs and the clean air we inhaled as we succeeded. The absurdity of boasting in our … Continue reading Those Who Walk in Pride
The Fight of Faith 