Our All-Sufficient Savior

Christ is all-sufficient (Col. 3:11). There is nothing for which is not more than capable. But we sometimes overlook or minimize just how sufficient our sufficient Savior is. To help you with your burdens, consider some of the ways that John Newton described Christ’s sufficiency: Christ is our all-sufficient Shepherd Christ is our all-sufficient Husband […]

“Your sins are forgiven you”

It was a simple statement by Jesus. It was just six words. They may not be the most significant or powerful words ever spoken by Jesus, but they undoubtedly they were the most significant and powerful words ever spoken to the man who heard them: “Friend, your sins are forgiven you” (Lk. 5:20). He was […]

The Forgiving Authority of the Son of Man

The Forgiving Authority of the Son of ManLuke 5:17-26March 16, 2025 Into every life a little rain must fall. Death and taxes are a certainty for every person. Trouble is all around us. And everyone has trouble, trials, problems, and difficulties. Even in a land of prosperity. Of course some of them are unique […]

When You Are Busy…

“The accent in the church today is not on devotion, but on commotion” one writer said a generation ago. The temptation in the church (and most of life) is to fill schedules with activities, to let expectations of others become personal demands, and to base a sense worthiness on the extent of busyness. So Matt […]

The Cleansing Power of the Son of Man

The Cleansing Power of the Son of ManLuke 5:12-16March 9, 2025 Finish this statement for me: “Cleanliness is next to __________ .” So I’m not sure what to do with Dave Whitlock. Dave is a grad of MIT, a chemical engineer, and the founder of AOBiome which markets bacterial products that are supposed to […]

They Followed Jesus

After Jesus teaches a group of professional fishermen how to fish, Luke offers a concluding observation. It is a simple sentence with profound implications: “They left everything and followed Him.” They left the fish from that catch, the boats, the nets and equipment, the business, their houses, and undoubtedly relationships. They left it all. They […]

“Follow Me”

“Follow Me”Luke 5:1-11February 16, 2025 It’s an old childhood game — follow the leader. Players first choose a leader and the remaining players (followers) all line up behind the leader who then moves around and all the players have to mimic the leader’s actions exactly. Any player who fails to mimic the leader is out […]

Be Tolerant

Tolerance is a popular secular virtue. The priority of tolerance is not only popular, but at times it appears to hold the same authority as the dogma of the Constitution for our country. It seems inviolable. This tolerance says, “You must approve of what I do…You must agree with me…You must allow me to have […]

God’s Commitment to Unity

God is committed to unity. God’s priority of unity is emphasized throughout Scripture. Unity is inferred on the very first pages of Scripture, when a unified God acts to create the world and all things in it and beyond it. When God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and […]

Preserving Unity

Preserving Unity — Ministry Focus for 2025Ephesians 4:1-3January 19, 2025 For several years, we have had a theme for the year — a biblical truth that would help orient us and guide us as we serve Christ. Often those themes come from circumstances that we see in the culture (both secular and church) that […]

What a Pastor Must Not Forget

Many years ago, I walked into my pastoral office for the first time, organized my books on my shelves, and sat behind my desk and began thinking about my first duties as a pastor. That week, the tasks included a hospital visit for a newborn baby in our church, a sermon to write, and a […]

God’s Expectations for Your Shepherds

God’s Expectations for Your Shepherds1 Peter 5:1-3 January 19, 2025 Tanner, I will share a job description for you that was shared with me (by my father!) on the Sunday I was installed as pastor at GBC; the privilege to be a pastor/elder is immeasurably great; and so are the responsibilities. You need to know […]

The God Who Forgives

From virtually the first page (Genesis 3) until the last page, the Bible acknowledges, confronts, and exposes the sinfulness of mankind. The reality of sin in its heinousness is not hidden (e.g., the sin of Lot and his daughters in Genesis 19). The vast amount of sin in every individual is recognized (see Jesus’ parable […]

A Prayer From God’s Word

A Prayer From God’s WordPsalm 19:12-14 January 12, 2025 Think about a moment in your life when you have been awed by some part of creation: You have walked through trees to arrive at a vast meadow that leads to the foot of a towering mountain; you are swallowed up in the immensity of the […]

The Best books I read in 2024

I enjoy books. I like bookstores — new bookstores, old bookstores, used book stores, and digital (online) bookstores. I spend a significant amount of time and money in bookstores each year. And I read, too (though not as much as I’d like, typically). Several years ago, I began keeping track of what I read each […]