Category Archives: Sermons and Devotions

The Gospel-Believing Christian In The Midst of Legalism

I’ve wanted to write an encouragement for many of my readers whom I know seek to live out the Gospel in the midst of a legalistic time and place. I pray this is a gift for you if you find yourself in such a place. Galatians 3:1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evilContinue reading “The Gospel-Believing Christian In The Midst of Legalism”

A Short List of Troublingly Common Sins

Paul made a lot of sin lists. You know, lists of sins. If you’re a preacher or teacher, you’ve probably used Paul’s sin lists a few times as the raw material for a talk or sermon. You’ve walked through the list, one sin at a time and said a little something about each one. ItContinue reading “A Short List of Troublingly Common Sins”

One Message the Mountain Preachers Get Right

I’m very fortunate to live in one of the poorest areas of the country. It’s unlikely that there will be much panic here in southeastern Kentucky if we have a depression. Adult unemployment in our area has been over 50% for the entire 16 years we’ve lived here. Large numbers of my neighbors receive variousContinue reading “One Message the Mountain Preachers Get Right”

Lamentation, Nostalgia and Walking Into The Future: Thoughts on Denominational Decline

I’m doing an interview in a few days and will be asked some questions about how I view the past and future of my own denomination. Some of these thoughts came to mind as I prepared. Psalm 77 I cry aloud to God,     aloud to God, that he may hear me. 2 In the day ofContinue reading “Lamentation, Nostalgia and Walking Into The Future: Thoughts on Denominational Decline”

Lessons from a Lousy Referee

I’m not usually the guy with sports illustrations, but this one couldn’t be passed up. (And if anyone I know says to me that I was “secretly” talking about them, I’m going to laugh right at you, very loudly.) This is so relevant to thousands of situations, it preaches itself without explanation. Young pastors, listenContinue reading “Lessons from a Lousy Referee”

How Do I Love The Church? (Or Why Jesus Isn’t An Enabler)

I assume that we are supposed to love the church, even though there isn’t a direct command with those words in the New Testament. The love of the Psalmist for the people of God is obvious. Paul’s love for particular congregations causes him to recite his sufferings and sacrifices for their sake. His love forContinue reading “How Do I Love The Church? (Or Why Jesus Isn’t An Enabler)”

God Have Mercy On the Messenger

The ministry where I serve has students from all over the world. We have many Africans and we have many children of African immigrants. These students come from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds. Hebrews 13:3b  Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. (NLT) The 9:15 a.m. student worshipContinue reading “God Have Mercy On the Messenger”

Sermon: “Where is Jesus?” A Baptist Church 8/03/08

Preached this morning at a Baptist Church. During the scripture reading time earlier in the service, I read several sections of Ephesians 1-4, so don’t mark me down too hard for not reading those verses during the sermon. Full house today, maybe 170. Very cool. I was surprised how exhausted I was. I haven’t reallyContinue reading “Sermon: “Where is Jesus?” A Baptist Church 8/03/08″

Recommendation and Review: Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor

If you are in the post-evangelical wilderness, this is a must read. No review can tell you how encouraged you’ll be by this story. I’ve got a lot of brief book reviews to write in the next few weeks to catch up after sabbatical, but I don’t want to pass up recommending an exceptional wonderContinue reading “Recommendation and Review: Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor”