Deuteronomy and Ephesians

In the first three chapters of Ephesians, there is only one imperative — only one command by God for the Ephesians to obey. The command is in 2:11 — “remember.” Specifically, these believers were to remember their position prior to salvation — separate from Christ, excluded from Israel, strangers to the promise God made with […]

Reading Deuteronomy

We have just begun reading the book of Deuteronomy in our annual Bible reading plan. This final book by Moses is written as a second giving of the Law (the word “Deuteronomy” means “second law”). So it is a book of reminders. As such, it summarizes the previous books of the Pentateuch. It reminds the […]

Our duty and privilege

Echoing the thoughts of the privilege of ministry and service from last Sunday are two comments from pastors from other centuries: If anyone, therefore, appears before you who is in need of your kind services, you have no reason to refuse him your help. Suppose he is a stranger; yet the Lord has pressed his […]

Comfort the afflicted

Still mulling over yesterday’s sermon on the privilege of ministering the Word of God to people’s lives. This benediction by Jeremy Taylor was one I intended to include, but simply overlooked in my notes. He is right about the importance of encouragement and what it looks like when he says, Relieve and comfort all the […]

Sunday Leftovers (3/21/10)

The concepts of encouragement and admonishing are related, but different. Those who are discouraged and those who need admonishing both need to hear the Word of God. They both need the truth spoken into their lives, though for different reasons. Those who are discouraged need to hear a message that might embolden them and give […]

Pondering David and Paul, pride and hope

Pride is sneaky and subtle. When a man is humbled and broken, pride raises a small voice that whispers, “you are doing well to be so humbled. How good you are…” When a heart is weak, pride suggests, “You are strong and able…” When an obvious grace from God has been received, pride ponders, “how […]

Book Review: The Trellis and the Vine

Title: The Trellis and the Vine Authors: Colin Marshall and Tony Payne Publisher: Matthias Media, 2009; 196 pp. $19.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): Several years ago a friend of mine told me about his “rule of three” regarding the purchase of books. No matter how much someone would praise and affirm the qualities of a given […]

Reading Galatians

Today we begin reading the book of Galatians. This is the first of Paul’s letters, and it is key to understanding the relationship between gospel and law, grace and legalism. The purpose of the letter is clearly stated in the introductory section of the book (1:1-10): Judaizers had infiltrated the Galatian church and had attempted […]

Grab Bag

What I’ve lately been reading and listening to in books and blogs that is noteworthy: Desiring God, “The Difference Between Christianity and Buddhism” Al Mohler, “Permanence Before Experience — The Wisdom of Marriage” Al Mohler, “‘This is Life We’re Talking About’ — Abortion and the Health Care Bill” John Piper talks about “My 2010 Writing […]

Transgression speaks

While there is a new brand of atheism that seems to be gaining a measure of cultural acceptance, there is another kind of atheism that has always existed — a practical atheism that affirms the existence of God with words and denies His existence with actions. Thomas Watson noted the existence of these unbelievers this […]

More audio book deals

Each month, Christian audio makes one book download available for free — this is a great way to read some of the classics of the faith, if you have long commutes, or have other significant amounts of time when you can listen to audio material (like on a treadmill or behind a mower). This month, […]

Book Review: Heaven Taken by Storm

Title: Heaven Taken by Storm Author: Thomas Watson Publisher: Soli Deo Gloria Books, 1992; 129 pp. $17.00 Recommendation (4-star scale): One of my favorite Peanuts cartoons shows a series of panels in which Charlie Brown is seen alternately writing something and then crumpling it up and tossing it into a pile. In the last panel, […]

Sunday Leftovers (3/14/10)

We live in an entertainment culture. We go to the gym to exercise, step onto a treadmill and have a TV screen facing us to watch. But most don’t watch – they have their own private entertainment in their own headphones. Or perhaps you prefer an aerobics class — so you exercise there to the […]

Every man is a missionary

Thinking about the spiritual gift of evangelism as I was preparing for Sunday’s sermon on Eph. 4:11-12, I came across this statement from Thomas Chalmers, who reminds us that spiritual gift or not, obedience to testify to the gospel of Christ or not, every individual is still a missionary: Every man is a missionary, now […]

Sin and the new man

The life of the believer is unique in many ways. One is the manner in which he must consider his sin. The follower of Christ is a new man — a new creature possessing a new life in Christ. And yet he still battles the flesh and sin on a daily basis — his only […]