The second Adam

One of the most recognized names in the world of art is Rembrandt. Though he lived and painted more than 350 years ago, some would say the technique and emotive beauty of his works has been unsurpassed since then. As a testimony to the enduring nature of his work, two years ago, a matching pair […]

Sermon: A Tale of Two Men (Pt. 4)

“A Tale of Two Men, and the Supremacy of Christ” Pt. 4 Romans 5:18-21 October 15, 2017 There is a notion among unbelievers that Christians and the Bible don’t understand real life — that we live sheltered lives away from harsh realities and burdens. You don’t have to read far in the Bible to see […]

Sermon: A Tale of Two Men (Pt. 3)

“A Tale of Two Men, and the Supremacy of Christ” Pt. 3 Romans 5:15-17 October 1, 2017 I suppose that I was 10 or 11 when my 4- or 5-year-old brother introduced me to the following lyrics: One of these things is not like the others One of these things just doesn’t belong Can you […]

Meditate on the small number to be saved

Wednesdays with Watson is a weekly reading taken from my favorite Puritan writer, Thomas Watson. This week’s selection is taken from The Christian on the Mount. Meditate upon the small number of those who shall be saved. “But few are chosen” (Matthew 20: 16). Among the millions in Rome there are but few senators; and […]

Some sins are worse than others

Every sin is worthy of the infinite wrath of God. The appropriate, rightly deserved consequence of all sin (and every sin) is God’s judgment and condemnation (Rom. 6:23). Every sin is worthy of God’s wrath because every sin is an affront to the glory of God and fails to achieve the glory of God (Rom. […]

Sermon: A Tale of Two Men (Pt. 2)

“A Tale of Two Men, and the Long History of Sin” Pt. 2 Romans 5:13-14 September 17, 2017 How long? Don’t you wonder sometimes how long it will take to get something completed? How long will it take to finish the road work on 377 through Benbrook? How many more years can a nine-month pregnancy […]

How can we glorify God?

Wednesdays with Watson is a weekly reading taken from my favorite Puritan writer, Thomas Watson. This week’s selection is taken from All Things for Good. Question. How can we be said properly to glorify God? He is infinite in His perfections, and can receive no augmentation from us. Answer. It is true that in a […]

And then came death

Martin Luther’s consciousness of his sin is well-chronicled. While he was serving in a Roman Catholic monastery he at times would feel confident of his self-righteousness that claimed, “I have done nothing wrong today.” And then almost as quickly he would become plagued with questions like, “Have you fasted enough? Are you poor enough?” His […]

Sermon: A Tale of Two Men (Pt. 1)

“A Tale of Two Men, and the Sad Story of Sin’s Origin” Pt. 1 Romans 5:12 September 10, 2017 If you read the news most days, you will find many stories that are filled with tragedy and senselessness that inevitably leads us to ask, “why?” Why does a man drink alcohol and then get behind […]

If all things work for good… (Pt. 3)

Wednesdays with Watson is a weekly reading taken from my favorite Puritan writer, Thomas Watson. This week’s selection is taken from All Things for Good. (This post continues a previous post.) Inferences from the proposition that all things work for the good of the saints.… (6) Learn how little cause we have then to be […]

Worship God

When a high school student considers her options for college, her fundamental question is, “which school will be best for me so that I can achieve my goals?” When a job applicant interviews with a prospective employer, he will ask about the compensation package — “what benefits will I receive for giving you 40-50 hours […]

If all things work for good… (Pt. 2)

Sermon: The Blessings of Justification, Pt 4

“The Blessings of Justification” Pt. 4 Romans 5:9-11 August 27, 2017 One pastor decided to take his family, including his four children on vacation — “We’re going to Junction City, Kansas,” he said. “It’s where my dad used to pastor a church, and we can have lots of fun there — they have playgrounds, and […]

The outpouring of God’s love

The love of God may be one of the most misunderstood attributes of God’s character. Talk to an unbeliever about the wrath of God and the consequences of sin and you are likely to hear a comment something like, “My God is not like that. I don’t believe in a God who is angry; my […]

Encouragement for when you’re suffering

We have noted that suffering is normal in the life of the believer. And thinking (meditating) on Scripture and the product of our suffering is helpful. In His grace, the Lord has also provided other helps for us as well — primarily the help of other faithful men who have suffered well and written about […]