Introduction: The book of Joshua is a book filled with strenuous warfare, and yet the Bible clearly teaches us that it is a book that points toward rest. How is this possible? How does this work? The Text: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith …
Where He Offers Himself
There are many aspects to this Supper, but one of them is that it is an expression of loyalty. In this meal, the Lord offers Himself to all who come to Him in faith, and all who come to Him in faith offer themselves in return, in a devout imitation. Christ offers Himself. We may …
A Refuge for Honesty
In his great psalm of confession, the psalmist says that he has acknowledged his sin to God, and goes on to say that he had not hidden his iniquity (Ps. 32:5). Because we live in a world full of sin, and because we as God’s people live our lives here, when we come to church …
Keep It True
“A preacher . . . should strive most earnestly to say nothing but what he now really thinks and now truly feels” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 446).
Unambiguous Instruction
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #171 “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man …
Greg Boyd’s Demons
Someone has said that in politics a gaffe should be defined as accidentally speaking the truth. Another possibility that is not limited to the truth — or to politics, for that matter — is the option of someone saying what he actually thinks before anybody is quite ready for it yet. That is what Greg …
No Servants With Flamethrowers
Sometimes the Bible tells us not to accept certain outrageous things, and we wonder to ourselves, “did churches really need to be told that?” The answer is yes, they did. So do we. For example, Paul once said that no one speaking by the Spirit could say certain things. “Wherefore I give you to understand, …
Surveying the Text: John
Introduction: The apostle John was overwhelmed by the vastness of Jesus Christ. This fourth gospel is a cosmic gospel, but with profound ramifications for us here on earth. It is cosmic, but it is in no way removed from us. No, the ultimate and divine Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The …
A Personal Work
The sacraments are not a thing in themselves. The sacraments are what they are because they are an instrument or tool in the hand of God. And the way God wields His instrument or ministry of this Supper is through the agency of the Holy Spirit. There is therefore no blessing here apart from a …
Ichabod Memorial
When Solomon dedicated the Temple, one of the things that happened is that the glory of God filled the Temple, such that the priests could not even go in (2 Chron. 7:1-2). When Moses communed with the Lord at the door of the tabernacle, God appeared there in a pillar of glory (Ex. 33:9). When …