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Hebrews 9-10 Recited
While studying the Book of Hebrews this week, in preparation Sunday’s message, I stumbled upon this recitation of Hebrews 9 & 10 by a guy named Ryan Ferguson. I was impressed as I listened to him present these chapters through oral interpretation. Ferguson’s performance of these verses offers a perspective that both resonates with my…
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The Ways & Means of Following Jesus
Eugene Peterson, in his book, The Jesus Way, wrote: Following Jesus necessarily means getting his ways and means into our everyday lives. It is not enough simply to recognize and approve his ways and get started in the right direction. Jesus’ ways are meant to be embraced and assimilated into our habits. This takes place only…
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6 Signs of Living to Please God
The great English Puritan, Richard Baxter, exhorted: “See therefore that you live for God’s approval as that which you chiefly seek, and as that will suffice you.” Baxter suggested that we may discover for ourselves whether or not we are living chiefly for God’s pleasure, or for something else, by considering these six signs: 1. You…
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Jesus Surrendered All
Jesus is the only one who ever could have ever sung “I Surrender All” with total integrity. Let’s trust in Jesus’ once-and-for-all surrender to the cross as the basis of our relationship with God. Our surrender is fickle and incomplete. Jesus’ was perfect and forever. ~ Scotty Smith
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My Sin is Ever Before Me
‘My sin is ever before me’ ~ Psalm 51.3 A humble soul sees that he can stay no more from sin, than the heart can from panting, and the pulse from beating. He sees his heart and life to be fuller of sin, than the firmament is of stars; and this keeps him low. He sees…
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3 Types of Preaching Styles
All sermons are not alike. They are not only differentiated by the personalities of the ones preaching, but also in the aim of how the Word of God will be proclaimed. Expository Sermon is a technical term meaning that the proposition, main points, and sub-points are all taken directly from the biblical text. The key…
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Christianity in Our Current Cultural Context
In March 2019, noted church leader Tim Keller delivered this keynote address at The Hendricks Center Gala. In this address Keller identifies some of the ways that ministering in our present cultural context may be different from ministering in the past. Whether one agrees with Keller’s assessments or not, all would be wise to at…
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A Global Missions Glossary
Jesus’ instructions were clear and unequivocal: “Go … and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28.19) Paraphrasing Article 6 of the Lausanne Covenant: “The whole Church is commissioned to take the whole gospel to the whole world.” What may be less clear are some of the terms and phrases used among global mission practitioners and mobilizers. This…
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Sir, We Would See Jesus
As a seasoned pastor, I have had the privilege to preach at a number of churches. Even as a seminary student I had the opportunity to speak in a number of small churches in rural communities throughout Mississippi and western Alabama. People would be surprised what might be found in some of the pulpits in…
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If the Gospel Overtakes China…
In the news recently are reports that China’s Communist Leaders Fear Christian Population May Reach 300 Million by 2030. I first heard it mentioned on an episode of Breakpoint podcast, then later read about it from a couple of sources, including The Christian Post linked above. I have long been aware that the church in…
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Anxiety: “Do Not Be Anxious”
Three times, in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs us “Do not be anxious…” (Matthew 6.25, 31, 34) The repetition is a rhetorical cue that he really means it. It could almost sound as if Jesus is doing his own version of the old Bob Newhart Stop It! sketch. Why is Jesus so resolute…
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10 Commandments of Progressive Christianity
J. Gresham Machen, in his classic book, Christianity & Liberalism, writes: In the sphere of religion, in particular, the present time is a time of conflict; the great redemptive religion which has always been known as Christianity is battling against a totally diverse type of religious belief, which is only the more destructive of the…
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Race in America: Some Thoughts About the Existence of Systemic Racism
Though it should not be, the issue of Racial Reconciliation is complex. It should not be simply because all people are created in the image of God, and therefore are worthy of dignity. This fundamental reality puts all of us, regardless of race, on the same common ground. However, we live in a world broken…
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Race & Racism from a White Guy’s Perspective
A few days ago I posted the video of an interview done with Bryan Stevenson, of Just Mercy fame, and Timothy Keller, discussing grace, race, and justice. As a follow up, I thought I’d post this message by Keller. In this video Tim Keller tackles the tough subjects of Race and systemic racism. While these…
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