Service and Suffering

We all know the priority of service. But how is it possible to serve when you are suffering? That is is an important question because all of us suffer hardship. Christ Himself acknowledged that fact — “In the world you have tribulation…” (John 16:33). And this has been our very own experience. We have various […]

Sermon: When You are Hated, Pt. 2

When You are Hated…, Part 2 Romans 12:17-21 November 15, 2020 We all have expectations for relationships. We have desires for how they will work and what we will receive through those relationships. However, we live in a fallen world, so… Our relationships will never work completely according to our plan Our relationships will never […]

Sermon: When You are Hated

When You are Hated… Romans 12:14-16 November 8, 2020 Like you, I’ve had relationships where I’ve known the other person didn’t like me. Those are hard relationships. You know that and have experienced that. But I don’t know that I’ve had anyone ever really hate me — hate me to the point of working against […]

You need perseverance

Near the end of his life, John Calvin suffered from tuberculosis. In his weakened condition his doctors urged him to rest and adopt a slower pace in his work. He refused, saying, “Bear with me, that God will find me watching and busy at His work until my last sigh.” So the doctors and his […]

Sermon: When Life is Hard

When Life is Hard… Romans 12:12-13 November 1, 2020 I am what you might call a “fair-weather exerciser.” I prefer to get my exercise outdoors, but I prefer to get it within certain parameters. I don’t like it (and generally won’t go) when it’s over 80° and I definitely won’t go when it’s below 40° […]

Resources to combat fear and anxiety

The days of Covid-19 have done what pressures and trials are designed to do — they are revealing our hearts. This circumstance, which is the most unusual situation any of us has ever experienced, is revealing whether we are fearful of the situation, anxious about what might yet happen, content and confident in God to […]

Sermon: The Compassionate, Competent Savior

The Compassionate, Competent Savior John 11:17-44 April 5, 2020 Who will care for you when you are suffering? Who will care for you if everyone is suffering? Who will care for you when care and connection and human touch are being restricted by governmental controls? We are not the first people to ask that question. […]

Loving your neighbor during Covid-19

Jesus said that the Old Testament Law can be condensed into two principles: Love God with all your heart Love your neighbor as yourself That’s it. The Old Testament is pointing people to being lovers of God and lovers of others. You might also say it these ways: You cannot love God without loving others. […]

Some more Covid-19 biblical resources

Here are a few more resources I’ve come across in the past week or so that I have found helpful to think about Covid-19, the Bible, God, and my life: Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) has many excellent resources and articles on a variety of topics related to Covid-19 and suffering. Anxiety: Knowing God’s […]

Sermon: Our Infinite, Intimate God

Our Infinite, Intimate God Psalm 139 March 29, 2020 Loneliness is a common affliction. While living in an increasingly connected world, many feel increasingly disconnected relationally. As one secular writer noted a few years ago, “…if you’re an average American, you’re not nearly as connected to the people around you as your parents or grandparents […]

Sermon: Peace and Courage in a Troubled World

Peace and Courage in a Troubled World John 16:32-33 March 22, 2020 This is an odd morning. I have preached to this church body almost 1400 times, by my count. I have never preached with music recorded by our musicians ahead of time, and I have never preached to an empty auditorium. There have been […]

Some helpful (free!) resources during Coronavirus

Several publishers are making some resources that are particularly helpful for battling spiritual issues that have arisen as a byproduct of the Coronavirus available for free (or highly discounted). Here are a few things I’ve found that I would encourage you to take advantage of: Free Resources for Your Stay at Home during COVID-19 (book […]

Sermon: Food, Shelter, Pandemics, and Fear

Food, Shelter, Pandemics, and Fear Matthew 6:25-34 March 15, 2020 We know that as believers we should not be afraid. But when the World Health Organization classifies the Coronavirus as a pandemic and virtually every major sports league suspends its games, including championship series, universities move to online only classes, school districts extend spring breaks, […]

Sermon: Suffering and the love of Christ

Suffering and the Love of Christ Romans 8:35-39 April 28, 2019 We have questions about love. We want to know what love will do. When we are in love (or think we are in love), we will ask questions like: Will the person I love return that love to me? Will the person I love […]

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 […]