The point of apocalyptic literature is not prediction but unmasking— unveiling the realities around us for what they really are. While the Roman Empire pretends to be a gift to civilization and the zenith of human accomplishment, John’s apocalyptic perspective from a heavenly angle shows us the reality: Rome is a monster.
Read MoreWas the cross necessary? Was it just for God to punish Jesus in our room and stead? Why could He not just forgive our sins, waive the debt, so to speak, and grant the kind of gratuitous forgiveness He requires from us?
Read MoreEvery culture has a story of redemption, a way of fixing what is broken deep inside, a way of finding hope for the future, meaning in the present, and covering the shame of the past. To understand a culture and its story of redemption, you must first find its healers.
Read MoreOver the past couple of weeks, I have been making my way through Paul David Tripp's book, 14 Principles of Parenting that Can Radically Change Your Family. A bold promise, you might say, but I think he just might be right. So far, the book has been tremendous, one to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest.
Read MoreThis morning in our men's study on the book of Romans, we considered the signs of a soul drifting away from grace towards legalism-- what Paul describes as a person, "Resting on the Law," or, "Putting confidence in the flesh." What does such a state look like, or feel like?
Read MoreWe all live our lives leaning forward, going somewhere, pursuing a pilgrimage to the good life. At first the choices seem almost limitless, but in reality, we are all headed in one of only two directions.
Read MoreIn particular, the session spotted two men who show exceptional aptitude for diaconal ministry and we would like to recommend them to the congregation this Sunday. These men are Paul Holst and George Merriam.
Read More“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it." (Joshua 1:8)
Read More"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." Romans 13:14 ESV
Read MoreRecently, several Christian friends challenged me to watch a film they deemed culturally important -- a film illustrating several important points of contact between the gospel and mankind's universal quest to find happiness, meaning, and love in life...
Read MoreWe have replaced the good/evil ethic of yesteryear with a new primary standard of measure: is the thing in question entertaining or boring?
Read MoreIn our devotion this morning, we see how in God's economy death and salvation work the same way. God has designed the remedy to be just as certain as the curse. It works by the same inevitable, inescapable logic.
Read More“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
Read MoreOnce again, the blazing glory of God touches the earth. This time, the event horizon is not a bush, but a baby. The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him, but He is wrapped up in the tender womb of a teenage girl.
Read More“And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” "(Luke 1:34–35)
Read More“Oh, he is so heavenly minded, he is of no earthly use!” the cynic snipes. We have all heard that charge, haven’t we? It’s an easy one to make and a hard one to defend. But is it ever true?
Read MoreWhat costs us nothing to receive, cost God His Son to offer. Surely, we must ask the question, why? Why would God go to such lengths to provide such an easy, such an undemanding way of salvation?
Read MoreI love the festive season the feast of Thanksgiving ushers in. Gathering around a table full with family and friends to give thanks to God is both intrinsically right and personally satisfying.
Read More“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)
Read MoreSometimes the doctrine of election can get in the way of experiencing God. How can truth, I hear you ask, get in the way of our relationship with God? An obvious answer is when either we don’t understand a given truth properly, or when we use it at the wrong time to answer the wrong questions.
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