The Reformation in the 16th century is long known as a religious renewal referred to as the Protestant Reformation. This movement changed the course of Western civilization, but what is often not understood about this event is that it wasn’t caused by a single man but many. It didn’t begin with Martin Luther (1483-1546) when […]
Three Keys to Sermon-Listening and Note-Taking
Going to church each Sunday and sitting under godly, loving, Biblical, and practical preaching week in and week out is a privilege to be enjoyed by God’s people. While some people, like myself, learn best by sitting and listening, I know that a lot of people get more out of a sermon by taking notes. […]
Sound Doctrine and Sound Living
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16) Holy living and sound teaching must go together if anyone wants to be a blessing. This is why Paul admonishes Timothy to “keep a close watch on […]
Spurgeon, Inerrancy, and What We Still Need Today
Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s influence today is felt more than ever, as he is the most published Christian author in church history.1 He is often quoted in sermons, articles, books, tweets, and other quote-worthy mediums among Christians. Helmut Thielicke helpfully points out the impact and influence of Spurgeon’s ministry when he notes that, “The fire Spurgeon […]
The Five Solas of the Reformation and Their Importance Today
The Reformation in the 16th century is long known as a religious renewal which we refer to today as the Protestant Reformation. This movement is known to have changed the course of Western civilization, but what is often not understood about this event is that not one single man caused it. It didn’t begin with […]
Growing Deep and Wide in the Grace of God
Over the past few years, we have seen a huge increase in conversation and interest in the gospel. This should be celebrated and encouraged to continue. Yet what is often missing from this conversation is the need for steady and slow growth in grace over the long haul. While talking about the grace of God […]
The Incarnation and High Priestly Ministry of Jesus
“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” […]
Logs, Splinters, and Specks: Seeing people through the lens of God’s grace
One of the great challenges of the Christian life is to see ourselves as we really are and then to assess where we are in our growth in grace. Rather than taking honest stock of our current spiritual position, we would rather point out faults in those around us. Perhaps, we believe that doing so […]
A Gospel Cure for Weary Hearts
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:3 Here the writer of Hebrews does two things: he anticipates a problem with weary hearts, and prescribes the gospel cure. This verse assumes something believers know all too well; namely, that from time to […]
Brotherly Love: Because Jesus Loved Us First
“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1) The New Testament resounds with the command to love the “brothers,” an idiom for fellow believers in the faith (Matt. 22:39; John 13:34; Rom. 13:8; 1 Cor. 13; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 2:10; 3:10, 4:7). The word “love” used in Hebrews 13:1 is φιλαδελφία transliterated from the Greek […]