We are creatures, and so it is that we must be fed. When we have food, it can simply seem like part of the framework of life, and we take it for granted. But when we miss a meal, or on a grander scale, if there is a famine, we know acutely what we are …
A New Way of Being New: Christmas Eve 2013
The Spirit of God was upon Jesus, and with Jesus, from the very first moment of His human existence. “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall …
His Brothers Shall Return
During Advent, I have been preaching through a series of messages on the Lord’s family — Joseph first, then Mary, and then His brothers and sisters. The outline for the sermon yesterday had been done since Wednesday, and in that message I was pointing out how the Lord’s brothers did not believe in Him until …
What the Lord’s Brothers and Sisters Knew
Introduction Jesus had four brothers, and at least two sisters (Mark 6:3; Matt. 13:55-56). The names of His brothers were James, Joses, Judah, and Simon. James was the author of the book of James, and Judah was the author of the book of Jude (Jude 1:1). With Joseph and Mary having that number of children, …
Seeking the Face of God
One of the ways the Bible describes repentance and true godliness is with some variation on the phrase “seeking God’s face.” We see this in multiple places (1 Chron. 16:11; 2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 24:6; Ps. 27:8; Ps. 105:4). But of course this is a metaphor—God the Father is spirit, and those who worship Him …
Proximity and Communion
There is a crucial distinction to be made between proximity to Jesus and communion with Jesus. We heard in the message today that the Lord’s brothers did not believe in Him, even though they grew up right next to Him. They had proximity. It was not until later that they had faith. As one Puritan …
When Preaching to Humans, In Other Words
“In preaching to children, and to the great mass of adults, illustration is simply indispensable . . . The example of our Lord decides the whole question” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 216).
Spring Loaded
One of the things we should have realized by now is that the world around us is far crazier than we could ever have dreamed. Just when we have finally accommodated ourselves to taking yesterday’s staggering discoveries for granted, along comes another one. Our sinful hearts have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for …
Prophecy and the Fear of God
A few weeks ago, I was on a radio broadcast in the UK with Adrian Warnock, which I believe I told you about at the time. At that time, I told a story about a “word of knowledge” experience I once had, which caused Adrian to call me a continuationist in denial. I said that …
What Mary Knew
Introduction Last week we considered what Joseph knew, and obviously Mary knew all the same things, and for the same reason. But she had more direct experience with the marvels that came to earth through her. For example, the angelic communication with Joseph came through dreams, but came to her directly. The Text: “And the …