Let’s encourage one another, and especially our visitors, by initiating a greeting and by listening well. ...
Luke's Gospel provides insight into a truly Christian approach to gratitude. ...
In Christ’s death, we die to our old identity. We are no longer slaves to sin. We are free from any obligation, addiction, and necessity to sin because sin has no reign on us....
Instead of abandoning us to eternal death and destruction, God, in His mercy and grace, devised a rescue plan for humanity. At precisely the right time, God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to die for the ungodly....
The persecutions, losses, physical pains, and tragedies we face, help us to spiritually grow so we can better serve God and provide an empathetic sense of direction for others as we follow the path God has set before us....
This resurrection week, look not to fleeting joys but to be joined to the one who fully satisfies, whose perfect kingdom will have no end and be full of immeasurable riches of grace. ...
Neither Jews under the Law of God, nor Gentiles, who see the good character of God in creation, have succeeded in obtaining righteousness because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (3:23)....
The PDF Discussion Guide for the Marriage Seminar is available in this post. ...
Our Creator does not uncover our wickedness to cruelly shame us, but to give us the truth--there is no hope that we can ever redeem ourselves....
God’s desire for us is to live full lives, for our hearts and our minds to be so saturated by God’s word, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may love God fully....
A person who lives to point out or even revel in the failures of others condemns only himself....
In the end, professional sports fandom has a lot to do with finding some level of identity and value in connection with the success of a sports team....
We can see idolatries visible in our current society, when God the Creator is replaced by idols of those things that have been created....
Paul’s focus seems to be less on the act of sharing the gospel but on the identity of the recipients of the gospel....
On this Christmas Day we celebrate the birth of our King Jesus, the Light of the World, the Defeater of the Dragon....
God’s prophet (John) would call people to turn from their sins so that they could embrace God’s Son (Jesus), the giver of salvation....
Our sleeping brothers and sisters are not lost to history, but will return when our King comes again to reign....
God takes his Son and places him in authority over all rulers and authorities on earth and in heavenly places....
We are called to adopt Mary’s humility and faith as we answer the call to bear Christ to the world....
Embrace the Holy Scriptures. Hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them because they nourish within us grace, patience, and comfort as we anticipate our Lord’s return....
Beginning Sunday and continuing into the next four weeks, Christians across the world celebrate the season referred to as Advent....
James’s short but incisive letter teaches what it means to walk in the way of wisdom that issues forth in authentic Christianity. ...
Ignoring sin makes us less conscious of it, and when we become less conscious of sin, we become less conscious of grace. ...
The elders believe it is not only permissible but also desirable for both men and women to participate in the public prayers and Scripture reading in our corporate worship services....
Truly there is no other way to be justified before God outside of Christ’s righteousness imputed upon us through faith....
Open membership advocates make strong, credible arguments for their views. These arguments deserve careful and charitable engagement, even as they may prove to be unconvincing in the final analysis. ...
We are dependent on God’s undeserved favor to us and the peace that only Christ brings to us in this troubled world....
Because Jesus was faithful to the end, we can look to him and be confident that he is interceding for us now as we strive to walk in his example....
Salvation came at a cost. Remembering the story of Abraham and Isaac reminds us of that cost. We see that “God was willing to sacrifice for you what was most precious to Him.”...
In pointing out Jesus’ deity Paul sets us up to place our full hope in Christ for reconciliation. For it will be through this God-man that all things in heaven and earth will one day be reconciled as a result of Christ’s finished work on the cross....
Jesus and the biblical authors did not avoid speaking about sin, but they also did not speak only about sin. They brought an appropriate emphasis into the contexts in which they spoke. Similarly, we should carefully consider which emphasis is required when we talk to children (or anyone) about sin and the love of God....
Central to our gospel hope is the reality of Jesus’s past resurrection and our future resurrection....
James writes in ancient Israel’s prophetic and wisdom traditions, bearing a remarkable resemblance to Jesus’s teachings. Although James addresses his letter to ethnic Jews, there are good reasons for every follower of Jesus to receive this letter as authoritative and instructive....
Because Jesus humbled himself and horrifically died on the cross as a ransom for our sins, he is the only mediator we have to go before God....
When we look around at the created world, we should respond with a sense of awe and worship the good Creator....
When Christ comes again, our maturity will be complete. Then we will all dwell in eternally perfect grace, love, and fellowship with our God. There is no greater blessing than this!...
When Jesus took on the form of man, we were able to see what was only shadowy in Psalm 86. Jesus was God's grace and mercy in the flesh....
Angels proclaimed the first coming of Jesus to the shepherds on the hillside. One day they will proclaim His second coming. At that time, the whole universe will hear it....
As sickness, disease, and old age pervades our world we have this promise–hope of Jesus’ return in his humanity to perfect our humanity....
It is easy to just go through the motions of the Christian life. Many times we have Pharisaical hearts. We need to remember the wonders that God has done to shock us out of our unthinking worship habits....
During this advent season we remember the “great joy” through the joy of participating in Christmas traditions like putting up Christmas trees and giving gifts....
At its core, advent is a season of waiting. We remember and celebrate the thousands of years that God’s people waited for the promised Messiah to come. Each year during Advent we remember the people of God who waited centuries for the coming of the promised Messiah to rescue them....
For those who have repented and trusted in Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, this future judgment is cause for rejoicing!...
Like the Israelites, we must also meditate on God’s word and keep it, work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and be a witness to this present generation that is hostile to God....
It is not often pleasant to experience correction or rebuke from others, but it is what we should invite into our lives....
According to Jesus, consuming love for God is the most important command to observe, and similarly, deep care for others is vital....
As we seek to stand firm in the faith, we must remember that Christ has already secured the victory....
A heart rooted in love for Christ acts in loving-kindness toward his neighbors, family, friends, and enemies....
God will be faithful amid temptation and testing in your life....
God, in his sovereign wisdom, has ordained all things, and yet he is inviting us to participate in his plans through prayer....
Christian confession brings with it all the power of exposing darkness to light, but it does so in a way that does not destroy the confessor. Instead, it heals and restores....
There is no sin too consuming, bad, or binding that cannot be overcome by Jesus’ blood....
Our deepest wish is that we do not offend God. He is our greatest joy and he gave his Son to pay for our sin....
It’s not enough to occasionally skim the Scriptures as we might do with the news headlines. We must go deep within its pages....
When we pray, God acts on our behalf....
The true path to a fulfilling life is to see the infinite beauty and glories of God’s word and then to embody them....
Our thankfulness to God is not determined by the age in which we live but by the future hope of Christ’s return and the present faithfulness of God....
In Christian homes, there should be a hospitable welcome to share in the death-mitigating bread of the common meal that echoes the welcome from Jesus, the death-defeating Bread of Life. As Christ welcomed us to his Table, we welcome others to ours....
"May we not shrink back in our call, and may we make disciples as we go."...
The hope of resurrection should lead to perseverance and an orientation to labor for the Lord in this world....
At Resurrection Church, starting June 27, we will begin weekly participation of the Lord’s Supper in keeping with the New Testament witness that is fortified by the practice of the global Church throughout history....
e each have a personal responsibility to God to live out the scriptures....
"We can trust that God can and will bring us through difficult circumstances and make us more like him."...
"We take ultimate delight in Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus, through his life, death, and resurrection has beat and conquered all opposing forces."...
As we live by the Spirit, God renews us in our hearts where he has planted eternal life....
We have hope in God's faithful love and mercy. ...
Holy Spirit or Human Spirit in Ephesians 1:17? Which is it?...
Whenever God’s declaration of judgment is delayed, it is because there is an extended opportunity for the salvation of the damned....
Whatever uncertainty we are facing, Jesus is the same....
"Too often in our everyday lives, we get focused on the immediate small details of what goes wrong, what isn't right, and miss the big picture over the long haul."...
"God can help me overcome the struggles that I face so often in this sin-stained existence."...
"Our union with Christ through faith and baptism shifts our center from ourselves to him and the great sacrifice he made for us."...
"Direct access to God is only possible by way of Jesus Christ, who is truth himself, and the giver and sustainer of eternal life."...
"It is impossible to abide in Christ if we leave him standing on the doorstep. We need ears to hear the knocking on the door."...
Stewards of Eden provides a careful assessment of the biblical texts, current practices, and potential paths toward a more conscientious and biblical approach to the earth and its resources....
"At the end of our physical limits, God’s strength and understanding are just beginning."...
"No amount of suffering or persecution can separate us from the love and grace of our God."...
"As weary burdened people, we can come to Jesus, soak in his words and rest in him."...
Why, if there is any reason at all, should Baptists take interest in Lent? And if they do, are they stepping onto the slippery slope of legalism that will inevitably end in Roman Catholicism?...
There is nothing magical about the benedictions at the end of our services, but there is something powerful about an appeal to our covenant God to bless and keep us....
Christ’s command is simple to understand, but, as with all Scripture, it takes work to apply it consistently to our lives....
We make Jesus’ presence on earth felt and known as the watching world sees Christ’s church building itself up in love....
Parents must spend time to love, know, and shape each of their children so that they can discipline their children with wisdom....
This liberating truth overflows David with joy as he proclaims the beauty and glory of God’s forgiveness. ...
We should continually give thanks to God for the work of Christ on the cross to save us from our sins and establish an eternal relationship with God....
For those who belong to God, there is the precious promise that death will be swallowed up, shame will be removed, and tears will be wiped away....
As each of these trials test our faith, they also build endurance in our lives as we cling to our faith and hope in God even more. ...
Just as the tree of life will provide healing for the nations, so too can a wisely worded sentence bring healing to those who hear it....
There should be no shame in the heart of a Christian to share the gospel of Jesus Christ....
There is a day coming when we will meet the treasure of our souls, Jesus Christ. ...
While our words of love have meaning, our actions speak volumes. Let us be a people of action as we love one another....
There is, therefore, no virtue in placing hope in the promises of the Christian faith or in abiding by the Christian ethic if Christianity is not true....
Whether or not a church member is appointed as a deacon, every believer is called to serve....
What we must know is how to navigate the situations before us in a way that will foster life in Christ and love for one another....
Because of Christ’s shepherding care we, like David, can be confident that God will faithfully love and pursue us all our days....
The significance of the psalm is that Yahweh is the shepherd ...
This important book has encouraged the persecuted and downtrodden for centuries and can do the same for us....
What does God require? Justice, kindness, and humility....
I’m thankful for such a helpful book that will, I hope, facilitate meaningful conversation about whatever pressing issue is before us....
The Israelites were called to obey and serve God faithfully with their whole hearts. This is our calling too....
In an internet age, bad thinking can be perpetuated by liking, sharing, or commenting on posts with logical fallacies....
We must learn to find our security and our joy in God alone. ...
We have a Savior who will one day make all wrong things right....
The death of George Floyd and the events surrounding it are tragic because they all efface the image of God. What does that mean?...
Submission to God through Jesus Christ is true freedom....
Motherhood is a gift from God. Mothers bring life into the world, mitigating the curse of death resulting from sin....
The same God who saves will surely lead and sustain us until we reach our eternal dwelling....
It is the resurrection of Christ and the good news of the gospel that we celebrate every Sunday....
God, being rich in mercy and grace, made a way for salvation....
We can rest assured that in God’s divine providence, evil will be overcome, and His goodness will shine forth....
"It is by God’s grace that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly around God’s word and sacrament in this world. Not all Christians partake of this grace."...
God always remains faithful and true to His promises...
Jesus began the fulfillment of the messianic mission prophesied about in the Hebrew Bible. He invites us to join in that mission as we await his return. ...
If we are to find true delight in God as we should we must treasure the word of God above all and seek to obey God who gives commandments for our good and His glory....
God reveals through the gospel and creation that he is powerful and that he deserves to be worshipped. ...
In this book, Tom Schreiner provides a primer on spiritual gifts. ...
Personality Tests Don't Excuse Your Sin is a helpful article available on The Gospel Coalition website. ...
Responding to the unchurching of America by unchurching the church simply isn't viable. ...
Partnering with other local churches in these (and other) ways requires sacrifice, humility, and creativity....
Change can be beautiful, difficult, and confusing all at the same time....
Nobody—not even Christians—perfectly exercise self-control. That is why Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible & Brain Science is so helpful....
Open membership advocates make strong, credible arguments for their views. These arguments deserve careful and charitable engagement, even as they may prove to be unconvincing in the final analysis. ...
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