Sermon: Restrictions to Fellowship

Restrictions to Fellowship 2 John 7-13 September 14, 2014 The first time I remember a Mormon coming by our house when I was a child was when we were living in Minnesota. I think it was January. My Dad answered the door, saw who they were, stepped outside, closed the door, and shared the gospel […]

Trying to decide about another job?

John Piper: In 1997 I put a list of Bible texts together to help folks think through what job to pursue. Below I have taken that list and added comments to flesh out more specifically what I had in mind. My prayer is that these thoughts will help saturate your mind with the centrality of […]

Sermon: The Basis of Fellowship

The Basis of Fellowship 2 John 1-6 September 7, 2014 Satan is the ruler of the world (1 Jn. 5:19). That makes the world a wicked and awful place. And despite our discouragement about what we find in the world, we’ve come to expect what we find in the world and from the world. But […]

What is the cross?

The cross is the burden of the gospel (‘we preach Christ crucified’, 1 Cor. 1:23; cf. 1:18; 2:2). It is the centrepiece of God’s eternal plan of grace (‘you redeemed were redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb…chosen before the creation…revealed in these last times for your sake, 1 Pet. 1:18-20; cf. John. 3:16f; […]

We need the Bible

We need the Bible if we are to be competent Christians. The Bible will build us up so that we can endure suffering. It will give us discernment for difficult choices. It will make us strong enough to be patient with others and patient enough to respond with kindness when others hurt us. The Bible […]

Bill Cosby responds to Victoria Osteen

The Osteens say something heretical. Again. And Bill Cosby adds a fitting evaluation of her comment (it was Victoria this time, not Joel).

P&R Ebook sale

Westminster Bookstore is having a 3-day sale (only two days left) on over 100 ebooks from P&R Books. All the books are $1.99 and there are some great deals among the offerings. I purchased a number of books, and was particularly happy to get John Frame’s Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief ($44.99 as […]

The “curse” of work

The curse under which we live today is not that we must work. The curse is that, in our work, we struggle with weariness and frustration and calamities and anxiety. And all this is doubly burdensome because now by this very toil we must keep ourselves alive. ‘In toil you shall eat of the ground.…In […]

Happy in your work?

In 1965 the future looked extraordinarily bright. Man was only four years from walking on the moon. The world was on the brink of a technological explosion — computer, microwave, laser, and communication advances were certain to revolutionize every facet of the way we lived. So a U.S. Senate Subcommittee in 1965 predicted that by […]

Sunday Leftovers: 1 John and assurance

This morning we concluded our study of the book of 1 John. After 36 sermons, we’ve had a clear look at what John has to say about salvation, spiritual life and obedience, and eternal life and assurance. This morning’s final sermon is designed to help us remember the big picture and essential truths of the […]

Sermon: Are You Sure You’re Secure?

Are You Sure You’re Secure? A Summary of 1 John August 31, 2014 There are many reasons why people might not be sure of their salvation — Spiritual laziness Satanic attacks Trials or harsh circumstances (even having several young children at home so that the affection the mother had prior to children is replaced by […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles from around the web recently: Heath Lambert answers the question often asked of biblical counselors, “Who says medicine is important?” There have been several recent helpful posts for students, and particularly college students. David Mathis offers a brief and helpful video in, “You’re Not a Student First,” Marshall Segal provides “Five Back-to-School […]

Ian & Larissa: Eight Twenty Eight

I haven’t read this book (obviously), but like many of you, I’ve known of this story. This looks to be a very encouraging and helpful book. “Eight Twenty Eight” holds a wealth of meaning for Ian and Larissa Murphy. Ian’s father, who died of brain cancer, was born on August 28. Romans 8:28 is the […]

God is calling

When I was a child, shopping was not one of my most favoritist things to do. [Actually, it still isn’t — unless it’s a bookstore.] So I had a tendency to kind of wander away on my own, in search of a good book or another pack of baseball cards. But when it came time […]

A benediction to worship and a prayer for the week

I wrote the benediction below for the conclusion of our worship service this morning; it also serves as a fitting prayer for the beginning of a new week. The content of this prayer is taken from 1 Peter 1:2-9. May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure. May you know the power of the […]