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 […]

Sunday Leftovers: Our place in the world

One of my favorite commentaries as I have studied the book of 1 John has been David Jackman’s The Message of John’s Letters. Repeatedly, Jackman has synthesized a passage and drawn out its relevance for today’s church. This was true again this week as he related the truth about the world, its ruler Satan, and […]

Sermon: We Know

We Know… 1 John 5:18-21 August 24, 2014 We don’t often like to admit it, but most of us are pretty ignorant most of the time about most things. We don’t know nearly as much as we’d like to convince people we do know. Our children ask us questions about the way things operate — […]

Should you fast?

In recent years, there have been numerous books written on the Biblical practice of fasting. I have read at least one of those books. I have also read numerous chapters, articles, and blog posts about the practice. And I have heard many conversations about the practice of fasting. And it seems to me that too […]

Sunday Leftovers: Unrighteousness is sin…all unrighteousness

In his first letter, several times John makes the statement that sin is unrighteousness. No where does he say it more clearly than in 5:17 — “all unrighteousness is sin.” Our tendency is to read that statement, reflect on it for a moment, devise a list of sins in our heads (some of which may […]

Sermon: Sin and Death…and Grace

Sin and Death…and Grace 1 John 5:16-17 August 17, 2014 I was listening to a couple of interviews of some pastors and counselors recently and the interviewer asked two different panels a question that I have asked others a great many times: “what do you think is the greatest need or problem in the church […]

Reading Lamentations

The book of Lamentations is very closely associated with the book of Jeremiah, as they both deal with the destruction of Jerusalem: Jeremiah as a prophetical warning, Lamentations as a lament after the fall. The poetry is important in interpreting the book as it highly corresponds to the message, which is that although the people […]

Why does God listen to your prayers?

God is a prayer-hearing God. He hears the prayers of His people (1 Jn. 5:14). And that does not mean that He has an ability to audibly comprehend the sounds being made by our voices. For God to hear our prayers means that God responds to our prayers with action. He is favorable to us, […]

It’s hard to trust God

I sympathize with those who find it difficult to trust God in adversity. I have been there often enough myself to know something of the distress, the despair, and the darkness that fills our souls when we wonder if God truly cares about our plight. I have spent a good portion of my adult life […]

Praying in Jesus’ name

To pray “in Jesus’ name” (Jn. 14:13) does not mean that Jesus is bound to answer our requests the way we want. It is not a set of magic words that constrict God from acting according to His will. In fact, to pray, “in Jesus’ name” is to request the will of God above all […]