Growing Deeper Into the Soil of God's Word to Bear Fruit For His Kingdom
At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani,” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) (Mark 15:33-34) There are many different ways to approach a biblical text in order to... Continue Reading →
Say these words after me: All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. That’s 2 Timothy 3:16: All-Scripture is God-breathed. The words we hear in the Bible, every one of them, are God’s Word. Even as Paul or Peter or Matthew or Jeremiah or Moses put ink to... Continue Reading →
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and a brother of James, to those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: (Jude 1) Tucked into the address of Jude 1 is a beautiful picture of salvation. Jude describes the believers who received his letter in three ways. First, they are those who... Continue Reading →
We have spent the last couple weeks looking and listening together to what God’s word has to say about our place in the body of Christ (all of us have gifts to be used for God’s service) as well as the particular roles of elder and deacons. As we finish this focused time, I want... Continue Reading →
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.” (1 Peter 5:2) One evening about ten years ago, as part of a high school mission trip, I... Continue Reading →
I invite you to open your Bibles with me to 1 Timothy, chapter 3, beginning in verse 8. 1 Timothy 3, beginning in verse 8. 1 Timothy is toward the end of the New Testament, tucked between Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians and his letter to Titus. It is the first of two letters Paul... Continue Reading →
“Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3:13 It seems rare to find someone genuinely excited to serve in church leadership. Many elders and deacons sigh when ‘their turn’ comes around. We all do the work well, but the work can be... Continue Reading →
I’m excited this morning. It’s good to be back here with you. It’s good to see your faces. But I’m also excited because as we kick off 2016, we will be listening together and pondering God’s word about leadership in the church - elders, deacons - who they are and what is our relationship to... Continue Reading →
Father, may Your Word be our rule, your Holy Spirit our teacher, and the glory of Jesus Christ our single concern. Amen. Listen to the Word of the Lord: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send my messenger ahead... Continue Reading →
“John wore clothes made from camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” Mark 1:6 Mark’s gospel is fast-paced. Short, clipped descriptions and powerful verbs drive the story forward. Mark is fond of using the word ‘immediately’ where other gospel writers might have allowed for space and... Continue Reading →
Etz Pri 