A few months ago, I wrote on the fact that we as evangelicals tend to baptize mediocrity in the water of false humility. By contrast, God calls us to a kind of Christ-exalting, cross-carrying striving for excellence and achievement for God’s glory and the good of others. Since this is a lesson worth learning more … Continue reading Holy Ambition, Part Two
The Saving, Sending, Successful Gospel
The following is an audio recording of a sermon on Romans 10:11-15, delivered on March 19, 2017 at Bressler Bible Church in Steelton, Pa.
Burdens Worth Casting
Psalm 55 contains a great promise—one which can far too easily become domesticated.
4 (Assorted) Ways David Points to Christ
Sometimes, finding Christ in the Old Testament is an exact science. Other times, it is an art. In recent weeks, I’ve sat under preaching through the life of David, and have myself tried to practice the science (or art) of Christocentric hermeneutics. We have all heard moral examples pulled from biblical narratives, exhorting us to … Continue reading 4 (Assorted) Ways David Points to Christ
Being Worldly Without Caring
Christians are supposed to be worldly. Wordly not in the sense of indiscriminately consuming all that pop culture produces, nor blowing with the wind of prevailing notions of morality or spirituality. Rather, Christians are called to be “worldly” because whatever we eat or drink, or whatever menial we do, is to be done for the … Continue reading Being Worldly Without Caring
Faith is More Than a Feeling
Recently, an attendee of our church and former volunteer asked me this question: "What does it mean to trust God—not only initial saving faith, but a daily, abiding trust in God?"I won't pretend to have a perfect answer. But if there's anything a follower of Christ should know with certainty, it's that they are trusting … Continue reading Faith is More Than a Feeling
Letter to a Jehovah’s Witness
Earlier this week, I encountered an acquaintance of mine at the gym. It wasn't long until this man, a Jehovah's Witness, and I found ourselves entangled in a conversation about who Jesus is, how to be assured of your salvation, and the origin of the doctrine of the Trinity. As I tried to take him … Continue reading Letter to a Jehovah’s Witness
5 Marks of a Faithful Sending Church
Not everyone is called to be a cross-cultural missionary who takes the gospel to unreached places. So what does Scripture say to those who stay behind? It is just as much a church’s responsibility to send as it is a missionary’s responsibility to go. One of the greatest missionary rally-cry passages in the Bible, Romans … Continue reading 5 Marks of a Faithful Sending Church
Giving Teens the Full Gospel
Have you ever struggled to explain your faith? Could you explain it to a 5th grader? What about five of them in a circle? Talking about our faith can be daunting. Sometimes we’re so afraid to say the wrong thing that we don’t say much at all. It’s harder if students can’t define “sin,” “salvation,” … Continue reading Giving Teens the Full Gospel
5 Foolish, Simple Things God Uses
Looks are everything. That’s the thinking of Western culture today. We live in a society centered on branding and slick advertising where organizations and even individuals swim in the deep water of social media image maintenance. Perception is key. How you look is what you are. Only you can define your own identity. You … Continue reading 5 Foolish, Simple Things God Uses
