Most people think Christmas is about traditions, family time, and gifts. Marty Machowski doesn’t disagree, but helps us find all of these in Christ. Read more
Archive for year: 2014
That’s not my gift. Isn’t that what you do across the ocean. That’s for summer trips. I’m not sure what to say. All of these and many more are the excuses people give for not sharing the gospel with others. And while the excuses abound, God’s Word still calls every believer to,
“…make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:17ff)
The Bible is probably one of the most undervalued books in all of America! It is a treasure hidden on the shelves of millions, collecting countless dust bunnies, and all because most don’t realize its value. I pray the masses would find this treasure and in their joy sacrifice everything to know, cherish, and practice it. I believe Kevin DeYoung’s latest book, Taking God At His Word, will be a tool used by God to accomplish this task. He portrays the Bible in a way that warms your affections, inspires your devotion, and corrects your priorities. Read more
In John Piper’s book Spectacular Sins, he not only addresses this question but asserts that God is indeed sovereign over sin. He asserts,
“God did not just overcome evil at the cross. He mad evil serve the overcoming of evil. He made evil commit suicide in doing its worst evil.”
This little book goes beyond the category of “thought provoking” into “awe inspiring.” In a way only Piper can do, he overwhelms his readers with a view of God’s glory that not only produces greater worship, but grounds your faith for the worst of times.(p.14) Read more
The following is a follow-up post to “Why Invite your Friends to Church?”
Recently I watched the video below and thought it was hilarious. However after some thought I began to wonder how individuals go about inviting others to church. Some times our invitations go well and other times they are slightly better than the video. So how do we invite others to join us for church? I don’t think there is a magical formula for inviting others to church but I do think there are four general principles. Read more
When this church has a special Sunday to invite friends, there will be no pyrotechnics, no motorcycle stunts, and no elaborate stage set. While those things may make for great entertainment, they are a cheap substitute for worship. Instead it will be a normal Sunday with Scripturally centered Bible study, God exalting worship, and a Gospel centered message. So, why have a special Sunday for inviting friends to your church? Why invite friends into the normal rhythm of Church life? I would like to answer this in the following two ways.
Maybe you have noticed some new updates to Facebook this week. In their desire to continue to develop the world’s largest social media website, they are constantly seeking to enhance many social aspects. Since 2009 they have had the following mission statement,
You can see this mission being carried out in many of their new updates. For example, this week they have added “What You’re Doing” to status updates. You can now share at any moment how you are feeling, what you are watching and reading, and activities. They have made it even more convenient to for people to share every aspect of their lives.
The Vacation Bible School craft cost $2. The Inflatable permit cost $120. The value of the members participating, priceless. The value of church members cannot be determined by their tithe, hours of service, or abilities. It is not determined by the number of children they bring to Vacation Bible School or lead to Christ. The value of a member is directly related to God’s placement of them in the body of Christ. In other words every member of the Church is irreplaceable because they are placed there by God. Read more
“…manifested in his word through the preaching…”
WHY IS LISTENING IMPORTANT?
Preaching finds its importance in the doctrine of Scripture. If we value the Word of God then we will value the exposition of it from the pulpit. If we value the exposition of the Word from the pulpit then we will value each opportunity we have to listen. We will listen with intensity as the words of the God who created all things is being proclaimed before our eyes. Titus 1:1-3 says,
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior…
Paul as a servant of God understood his role was to preach the word and here he is reminding Titus that the hope of eternal life was made known to us through the preaching of the Word. Thus we understand that preaching finds its significance in the hope of eternity found in the Word. Read more