“But it goes without saying that he cannot remedy every stiuation with one sermon; instead he will have to chart a path along which his sermons can move for a year or longer, so that he may gradually accomplish his goal. All along he will have to remind himself that he will not reach his …
Beginning With Repentance
There are several places in the Acts where St. Paul summarizes the message which God commissioned him to preaceh. It is interesting to note that in these places Paul mentions an aspect of his ministry that is sadly neglected in evangelism today. This aspect is the inclusion of repentance as a key factor in the …
Conquering Rome Again
At the end of April, our sister church in Coeur d’Alene will be hosting their annual spring cleaning conference that looks like a lot of fun. You can find out more about it here, and you can also register online. The speakers this year will be Ben Merkle, Stuart Bryan, and Jason Farley.
Breeze in a Can
“In many ways, the doctrine of regeneration is a signature issue for modern evangelicals, and the third chapter of John is frequently quoted. But the summary statement that Jesus makes here is routinely ignored. We cannot tell where the wind is coming from or where it is going. The Greek words for “wind” and “Spirit” …
Pulpit Freedom
“Although it is true that the service of the Word also falls under liturgical rules, we must nevertheless concede at once that in preaching no unnecessary restrictions be imposed on the minister. More than with any other part of the service, in preaching the minister must produce the fruit of his own thinking and reflection, …
Low Sodium Graciousness
It is quite possible to say that many modern Christians have a lopsided view of what constitutes “gracious speech.” In Col. 4:6, Paul says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you many know how to answer everyone.” In 1 Peter 3:15b-16, we are instructed, “Always be prepared to …
Not Consulted at All
“Birth is another irresistible process. As writers in another time would have said, the present writer was born in 1953. I do not recall being consulted about this in 1952, and I have on good authority that this was because I was not there. I was born a Wilson, and not a Smith. I was …
Life Wreckage as Raw Material
“On the other hand, if you preach them the weird Good News of the God incarnate who makes the wrecks of their lives his favorite workshop, they’ll frown — and give you all the hassles they can dish out. They don’t like being bitten by the Gospel. They’d rather be gummed to death by platitudes” …
Take It From There
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #70 “But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called everyone, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches” (1 Cor. 7:17). Paul concludes his passage on mixed marriage and divorce with …
Irresistible Light
“The God who summoned light from darkness at the beginning, without consulting the wishes of darkness, is the same God who summoned the light in our souls into being” (From After Darkness, Light, p. 138).