Episode 297: We are at war. The church is at war. Every Christian is at war. But this is no physical conflict. Tune in as I unpack the spiritual warfare in which Christ’s church is engaged from Ephesians 6.10-20.
Tag Archives: God’s sovereignty
Thanksgiving Devotional
Episode 294: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Tune in as I break down Psalm 95 and explain the various reasons we should be thankful from this Psalm.
I. Thankful for the Joy He Gives (1-2)
II. Thankful for the God He Is (3-5)
III. Thankful for the Worship We Offer (6-7a)
Today in Church History: Church of Christ opens stone chapel in Australia (1899) AND Joseph Thayer dies (1901)
Question of the Day: Where did Thanksgiving come from?
Euthanasia, pt. 3
Episode 291: Today’s episode wraps-up a discussion of the Scriptural principles which are informative regarding the issue of euthanasia. What is a Christian response in this conversation about euthanasia? Tune in as I unpack several principles which are instructive.
Today in Church History: Calvinists reject Arminianism at the Synod of Dort (1618)
Question of the Day: Please explain Calvinism.
Euthanasia, pt. 2
Episode 290: In today’s episode, I continue discussing euthanasia from a Christian worldview & Biblical perspective. What are some of the arguments in favor of euthanasia? Tune in as I explain a few arguments for euthanasia and show how they fall apart when weighed against Biblical principles.
Question of the Day: How many suicides are there in the Bible?
Today in Church History: Matthew Henry begins his commentary
Euthanasia, pt. 1
Episode 289: The suicide of Brittany Maynard, 29, has reignited the debate about euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide. Does God have anything to say concerning this hot-button issue? Tune in as I begin to unpack principles from God’s Word which I believe are applicable to this discussion.
Question of the Day: What about King Saul’s suicide?
Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad People?
Episode 286: It is a question as old as time: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?” (Jeremiah 12:1, ESV) Or to borrow a more common phrasing of a similar question: “Why do good things happen to bad people?” With so much evil in the world, with the prosperity of groups like ISIL who are grossing $1 million dollars a day and corrupt, dare I say treacherous, politicians succeeding and thriving, this is no doubt a question many people have today: Why? Tune in as I explore this important subject.
Today in Church History: The Unjust Execution of Boethius
Question of the Day: Should we avoid trials and temptations?
Through the Gospel Everyday
Episode 281: “[God] has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:9–10, NIV84)
It is still “through the gospel” that we come to know the life and immortality of Christ today. It is still “through the gospel” that we gain access to the promise, body, and inheritance today (Ephesians 3.6). We must believe, accept, and obey “the gospel of your salvation” (1.13) to be incorporated into Christ Jesus. As Christians, we need to value the gospel. In order for the gospel to impact our lives, we must value it as revelation from God. Think of the parable Jesus told about the pearl of great price (Matthew 13.44-46). We have that which is of ultimate value. The gospel was all Paul had. The gospel is all we have. We must pay attention to, be defined by, and solve our problems with the gospel.
The gospel is not merely about getting to heaven; it is about life here and now as well as over yonder. It captures our initial conversion and our daily walk as disciples. It touches on our forgiveness and how we ought to forgive others. It speaks to God’s unfathomable love for us and how we ought to love one another. With so many implications upon life right now, it is no wonder Paul calls it “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3.8). And then we gather with the saints once or twice a week and think we’ve got it? No! We only start unwrapping the gift here; you take it home and finish the job the rest of the week.
Question of the Day: Are Mormons Christians?
Climate Change
Episode 279: So for the last week the People’s Climate March has been going on around the nation. Of course Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore made appearances…before flying off in a jet or driving away in great big Chevy Suburban (true story). Tune in as I air a sermon I preached earlier this year about the truth concerning climate change and what real global warming looks like according to the Bible.
Islam & Salvation
Episode 277: Islam is a work-based system of salvation. That is, if you do enough works in this life, at the end of life maybe, just maybe, Allah will let you into his Garden. How does this differ from Christianity? Tune in as examine salvation according to Islam and contrast it with what the Bible says.
Question of the Day: What must I do to be saved?
Remembering 9/11
Episode 274: I reach back into archives for an episode I recorded in 2011 on the 10th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. Tune in for my thoughts.
Live from the Pulpit 