READ Genesis 4:1-7.
Let’s consider the two following thoughts.
- “In the course of time” (v. 3)
- “he had no regard” (v. 5)
- “In the course of time…” (v. 3)
Thoughts on Ministry, The Bible, & Christian Living
READ Genesis 4:1-7.
Let’s consider the two following thoughts.
INTRO: Light, taken for granted, even expected
IN JOHN’S GOSPEL
Jesus Christ the Creator provides physical life.
Jesus Christ the Redeemer provides spiritual life.
Jesus Christ the Savior provides eternal life.
Jesus is Light.
Continue reading “Jesus: The Light of Christmas – John 1.4-5”
I don’t consider myself to be an impatient person, however, I do have my limits.
Waiting becomes difficult when I’m behind the wheel of a car…
Waiting becomes difficult when I accompany my wife, mother in law, and girls to the Christmas Store in Pigeon Forge, TN. They can stay in there for hours! Fortunately, I’ve learned to navigate my way out of that one.
But, it’s hard to wait on things sometimes if we’re honest with ourselves.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
John 6
No other passage of scripture has had a bigger impact on my theological understanding of election than John 6. I have another article which covers the entire chapter, but let’s focus in a couple of verses that will be important as we discuss Romans 9.
Continue reading “Romans 9: Exegetical Notes & Explanation Concerning the Doctrine of Election”
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24, 25
Fostering community by guiding people into Christ-centered fellowship.
Introduction
Have you ever worked diligently on a puzzle, only to find out toward the end of completion that you’re missing a piece of the puzzle? Can anything in life be more aggravating than that? It’s disappointing because you’ve worked diligently and see the potential of a completed picture, but know it will never happen because a piece is missing.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31
In the mid 1950s through the early 1960s, my mother’s dad, my grandfather, or Papa worked on a barge dredging various rock and gravel out of the Chattahoochee River. Because of this type of work several unique items came into his possession. Many of these items, as best as I can remember were in an old blue, faded, and severely cracked mop bucket in Papa’s shed. But one of these items, in particular has become very sentimental to me. It’s the bowl of an Indian pipe that was found among the gravel and sand as my grandfather worked. It’s one of a kind and I know no one else in the world has one like this. It’s in my mother’s possession now, but one day it will become mine. Why am I receiving it as an heirloom and not my sister? Because, when my mother asked, “If you got this when I died, would you sell it?” (It has a value of around $8,000.) I replied, “NO WAY!” – I recognized the value of the artifact that was in the box I held. And…if I’m honest, it makes me feel a little bit like I’m some sort of Indiana Jones.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, – 2 Peter 1.3
Introduction:
My mother is the type of cook that can throw things into a pan…mix it up…and when she’s done, she ends up with a delicious red velvet cake. I like to cook, but I’m not that kind of chef. I need a recipe. If the recipe is good, then usually I can pull off a pretty good meal myself. If the recipe is bad, then the end result is usually bad.
I recently attempted to make, what my family calls, a no-bake cheesecake. However, when I purchased the ingredients, I mistakenly bought light cool whip instead of regular. It didn’t end well. The recipe is simple. There are 4, maybe 5 ingredients. If the right ingredients are mixed together, there’s always success. However, as I learned, an unworthy substitute rendered unflattering results.
Our growth as believers requires the proper ingredients as well. The recipe isn’t complex, but these ingredients are essential. The ingredients are: biblical faith and good theology. A combination of these two ingredients results should result in a savory biblical growth.
Continue reading “Essential Ingredients For Spiritual Growth”
Truth is the life blood of piety, without which we cannot maintain its vitality or support its activity. And to teach people truth, or to revive what they already know into freshness and power, is the preacher’s great means of doing good. – John Broadus
An overemphasis on doctrinal preaching as teaching often stems from and can lead to misconceptions concerning the relationship between doctrine and emotions. In other words, some advocate that doctrinal preaching should not be understood as preaching as much as it is understood to be teaching. A passionate delivery of theological content could be understood as unintelligent or less thought through.
Out of a fear of manipulating their hearers, pastors may avoid emotion in doctrinal preaching. Concerned over this issue Henry Mitchell wrote, “Preachers need not shy away from issues that touch them deeply. How can the hearers be moved if the preacher is not? This is not emotional ‘manipulation,’ as some students have suspected. It is shared meaningful experience— spiritual contagion.”*