Two weeks ago we were going to have an outreach meal at the church. As part of that event, we were going to show a video presentation of the gospel as a stimulant to conversation around the dinner table. Because of the ice storm, we canceled the meal, but the video was still made. I […]
Read More The gospel messageThis is our Savior who in the fullness of time appeared to accomplish the redemption and salvation of mankind.
Read More What the Messiah doesSin, Righteousness, and the Believer (Pt. 2) 1 John 3:4-10 December 15, 2013 The story is told about Calvin Coolidge — nicknamed “Silent Cal” for his reticence to talk — that after returning to the White House from attending worship one Sunday morning he was asked by his wife Grace about the sermon. “It was […]
Read More Sermon: Sin, Righteousness, and the Believer (Pt. 2)[HT: Challies]
Read More Christmas in Dark PlacesJerry Bridges has been one of the most influential writers on the topic of sanctification in this last generation. Here is a summary of one of his most-read books, The Practice of Godliness: CHAPTER 1 — VALUE FOR ALL THINGS (1 Tim. 4:8) • Devotion in Action: Enoch (Gen. 5:21-24) • Focused on God — […]
Read More Book Summary: The Practice of GodlinessAs a young man, Daniel was taken captive by Babylon in 605 B.C. There he served under several rulers and two empires (the Babylonian and the Medo-Persian). Near the end of his life, while reading the book of Jeremiah (9:2; cf. Jer. 25:11-12), Daniel realized that the promise of 70 years of judgment under the […]
Read More Daniel’s 70 weeksIn Daniel’s prophecy, he received a number of visions relating to future empires and their relationship with Israel. Here is a simple chart to overview and explain these visions:
Read More Daniel’s visionsThe story about Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4) is remarkable — not only for the bizarre events that Nebuchadnezzar endured, but also the interpretation of his dream by Danie and the response of Nebuchadnezzar after the dream (vv. 34-37). Yet whatever else we learn about Nebuchadnezzar in this story, the story is not ultimately about him. The […]
Read More Some lessons in God’s story of NebuchadnezzarMark Dever, at the 2009 Desiring God Pastor’s Conference: The difference between a Christian and non-Christian: When a non-Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with his sin. When a Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with God, against himself.
Read More The difference between Christians and non-ChristiansJohn Piper, “Preaching as Worship:” Believing in Jesus means coming to Him for the quenching of our souls’ thirst. Faith in Jesus is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus. When we experience that, we magnify the preciousness and worth of God, because God is most glorified in us when we […]
Read More Believing in Jesus means…I was scheduled to teach an adult Sunday School class this morning. This is what I was going to teach: There have always been people — they existed in Christ’s day and they exist in ours — who say “I’m a follower of Christ — I believe in Jesus,” yet their lives seem to indicate […]
Read More What I would have said in Sunday School todaySome helpful articles: “Rescuing the Rupps: A Christmas Parable” (Clint Archer) One balmy Summer day in 1997 Rita Rupp (57) from Tulsa Oklahoma, was on a lengthy road trip with her husband Floyd (67). For no reason in particular, she began to sense that they may be in danger. She started thinking, ‘What if someone […]
Read More Grab bagDan DeWitt, in A Guide to Evangelism: Many Christians, according to Russell D. Moore, think about evangelism like they think about flossing. They know they should do it more often – and they even feel guilty when they’re reminded of it – but they think of it as an optional discipline. Such a laissez-faire approach […]
Read More The magnificent mandateJohn Newton: Are we not sinners? Were we not rebels and enemies before we knew the gospel? And have we not been unfaithful, backsliding, and unprofitable ever since? Are we not redeemed by the blood of Jesus? And can we stand a single moment except he upholds us? Have we anything that we have not […]
Read More Are we not sinners?“When Your World Caves In” (Paul Levy) — a sober reminder of the cost of sin in general and the cost (and protection against) sexual sin in particular: “Recently I’ve spent some time with two friends who were in ministry but have fallen morally and so now find themselves out of a job that they loved, […]
Read More Grab bag
Words of Grace 