Over the last few years, the incredible truth of John 13:1 has increasingly been gripping and overwhelming me: “…Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” The holy, persevering love [...]
February 23, 2011UncategorizedA searching question we should frequently ask ourselves is “why do I do what I do?” We are constantly making decisions that affect everything, from relationships, to priorities, to our use of time and money, etc. What motivates and informs what we do? What dominating factors influence why we make the decisions we do? As [...]
January 5, 2011UncategorizedOverwhelmed. That’s how I’ve felt these last couple of months as we’ve been surveying the wondrous cross in John 19:16-30 on Sunday mornings. the display of God’s glory in the sufferings of Christ, the wonder of His transcendent love manifest at the cross, all He calls His sheep to through the cross, has simply been [...]
October 15, 2010UncategorizedUntil the day we die, or the Lord Jesus returns, we will fight sin. The relentless forces of Satan, the world and our own sinful corruptions ever oppose the cultivation of holiness in our daily lives.Where do we find hope in this battle, particularly when we often fall? We must ever look by faith to [...]
September 13, 2010UncategorizedA short summary of yesterday’s sermon on John 19:17,18: As the ultimate demonstration of His holy love, Jesus willingly went outside the camp and bore the humiliation of His cross. True believers must now, in the power of all the blessings that are theirs because of His humiliation, take up their crosses and follow Him [...]
August 30, 2010UncategorizedA short summary of yesterday’s sermon on John 19:17,18: As the ultimate demonstration of His holy love, Jesus willingly went outside the camp and bore the humiliation of His cross. True believers must now, in the power of all the blessings that are theirs because of His humiliation, take up their crosses and follow Him [...]
August 30, 2010UncategorizedBlack and white. Dead and alive. High and low. Light and Dark. Hot and cold. Sooners and Longhorns. Life is filled with stark contrasts. But there is one ultimate contrast that supersedes all others, the contrast between that which is true and that which is false. This is the contrast between Jesus Christ, who is [...]
July 29, 2010UncategorizedPlease don’t forget to give!! With annual predictability, most churches and non-profit organizations in America experience a significant decline in financial giving during July and August. Our church is no different. Summer vacations, changes in routine, and other factors usually make these months the leanest in terms of giving. Add to this the already challenging [...]
July 26, 2010UncategorizedPlease don’t forget to give!! With annual predictability, most churches and non-profit organizations in America experience a significant decline in financial giving during July and August. Our church is no different. Summer vacations, changes in routine, and other factors usually make these months the leanest in terms of giving. Add to this the already challenging [...]
July 26, 2010UncategorizedThrough the Apostle Paul in Phil. 4:8, the Lord exhorts His children to cultivate Gospel-centered thinking: Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (NASB) A [...]
July 16, 2010UncategorizedThe prophet Jeremiah expressed his delight in God’s word by telling God, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16). Jeremiah’s statement is compelling, particularly in light [...]
April 1, 2010UncategorizedIt is highly significant and instructive that the great Apostle Paul, who was used so mightily of the Lord for the spread of the Gospel in the 1st Century, never ceased to ask God’s people to be praying for him. He understood the sobering realities of the spiritual battle he was engaged in, he understood [...]
March 1, 2010UncategorizedThe essence of God’s love in Jesus Christ is an active, sacrificial love that secures the eternal well being of those He has chosen. All of God’s saving purposes in Christ are the outworking not only of His sovereign love for the elect, but His love for Jesus Christ (John 17:20-26). Those who have tasted [...]
February 1, 2010UncategorizedPsalm 103: Bless the LORD , O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with [...]
January 1, 2010UncategorizedAnother Christmas season is upon us and with it all the usual trappings, temptations, and distractions that conspire to destroy the wonder of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. While the winds of Christ-hating rebellion are ever blowing through our culture, they seem to intensify into a category five hurricane this time of the year. It’s [...]
December 1, 2009UncategorizedAs I’ve just completed a 6-week preaching series on sanctification, centered on Jesus’ prayer for the sanctification of His disciples in John 17:16-19, I want to pass along a couple of extended quotes on this theme that are both encouraging and convicting. May these perceptive and penetrating insights be of God-glorifying benefit to your soul! [...]
November 1, 2009UncategorizedYes, it’s true: I covet something you have. Actually, it would be more accurate to say that I passionately, desperately, constantly covet something you have. I’m consumed with longing for it; I can’t quit thinking about it. Honestly, if I can’t get it from you, I don’t know what I’m going to do. You know [...]
October 1, 2009UncategorizedAs summer comes to a close and we move into the fall, this is traditionally a time when many people in America are going back to school. It may be graduate school, college, trade school, high school, grade school, or starting kindergarten for the first time, but literally thousands are engaging in a process of [...]
September 1, 2009UncategorizedAs a Christian, do you ever feel overwhelmed with a sense of inadequacy in your ability to be what God has called you to be and do what He’s called you to do? I wrestle with this occasionally (like every day!), but I’m growing. And the glorious truth of Romans 8:31,32 is the reason why: [...]
August 1, 2009Uncategorized“My soul, wait in silence for God only. For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” Ps. 62:5,6 Prayer is to the soul what breathing is to the lungs. As breathing is the means by which necessary and life-giving oxygen enters into [...]
July 1, 2009UncategorizedI am continually intrigued by how often King David in the Psalms cries out to God in the midst of difficult, distressing, and agonizing circumstances. Consider just a few of these instances: Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out [...]
June 1, 2009UncategorizedFrom a human perspective, these are times that are marked by great and intensifying confusion. Whether it is the economy, politics, terrorism, the swine flu, persecution and ridicule, or the challenging adventures of interpersonal relationships, all of us are bombarded with various uncertainties that can easily consume our daily existence. Believers are in no [...]
May 1, 2009UncategorizedAs we have been working our way through John 17 on Sunday mornings, we’ve been reminded about the clear and focused mission the Lord Jesus has given to all believers: He has sent us into this world to bear testimony of Him. As Jesus says to the Father in the midst of praying for His [...]
April 1, 2009UncategorizedTrue believers are often encouraged by the testimony of other saints regarding what they have known of the faithfulness of God in their lives. Such testimonies spur us on to trust the promises and purposes of God, and bring great refreshment when our souls are weary in the battle of faith. One such testimony that [...]
March 1, 2009UncategorizedThis coming July 10, a very significant and special birthday will be celebrated. On that day 500 years ago, in the small town of Noyon, France, one of the prominent figures in church history was born – John Calvin. While Calvin only lived 54 years on this earth, in God’s providence his Christ-exalting, Biblically-saturated influence [...]
February 1, 2009Uncategorized