“Trinity, in Christian doctrine, the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead. The doctrine of the Trinity is considered to be one of the central Christian affirmations about God” (Britannica.com). In two of my recent sermons I have alluded to the doctrine of the Trinity. In John 1:1-4 it clearly teaches that The Word, a title for the one we know as Jesus, was with God and was God before the world was made. To put it another way, the author of the book of John claims that Jesus was himself God and present … Read More
His Bride
Every week I pray the same thing for my wife and I. I pray that our marriage would be a picture of the Gospel. I know it is a lofty goal, perhaps unattainable, but I pray it…
A Christians Guide to Politics
With the presidential election moving towards us at the speed of politics, I want to take this time to give you advice. You should vote for…just kidding. It is not my place nor my legal right as the pastor of a church (see 170(c)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code) to publicly tell you which candidate you should vote for. Furthermore, I think Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, speaks truth when he says…
The Trap of Friendliness
Yesterday afternoon as I was walking in the Pearl District when I was approached by a man from Green Peace. I could tell he wanted to tell me about his cause so I pretended not to see him. It didn’t work and he quickly said, “I only need a minute.” I let him know that I was in a hurry, thinking that this would free me from listening to his pitch. It didn’t work. “I’ll walk with you, if it’s ok” he responded without hesitation. We walked up the street together and he began to tell me about Green Peace. When he said … Read More
Where Would Jesus Go to the Bathroom?
I have been drinking a lot of water lately because the experts say that this is good for me. I can attest that it does almost always make me feel better. The only exception to this is when there is not an accessible bathroom. Last week I drank 32 ounces of water then had to kill a few hours downtown near Pioneer Square. I “held it” as long as possible, but eventually, I could no longer take the pain of waiting. Knowing that there was not a plethora of easily accessible public bathrooms around I darted into the nearest department store and rushed … Read More
His Proclamation
Ephesians 3:10-11, “10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Usually, in the spring, around the time of Pentecost, I do a series of sermons on the church. In the past three years I have preached Church 101, Church As…, and 7 Churches. This year I planned to do the same; my intent was to focus on the teachings about church in the book of Ephesians. My head, heart, … Read More
His Household
Ephesians 2:19-22, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Usually, in the spring, around the time of Pentecost, I do a series of sermons on the church. In the past three years … Read More
His Body
Ephesians 1::22-23, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Usually, in the spring, around the time of Pentecost, I do a series of sermons on the church. In the past three years I have preached Church 101, Church As…, and 7 Churches. This year I planned to do the same; my intent was to focus on the teachings about church in the book of Ephesians. My head, heart, and (I believe) God took me in a … Read More
I Know Too Much
Recently my wife and I were out on a date and decided to visit a church service. As I think about it now, I’m not sure why Brynn thought this was a good idea. Perhaps it is because she loves church more than most. Perhaps it is because she saw it as an opportunity for us to sit by each other and worship, something we rarely get to do at our own church services because of our numerous responsibilities. I don’t know why she thought a church service was a good idea on a date, but I know why I did. … Read More
Judgment and The Church
Four weeks ago I finished a series of sermons called Planks & Specks: the Bible on Judging Others. Of course I’d be honored if you would listen to the sermons, but here I want to provide a once sentence synopsis of each sermon: 1. Do Not Judge – While Christians must have standards and make judgment calls, it is not their job to punish, but rather lovingly help others remove sin while remembering they themselves have been saved from sin by the grace of God. 2. Christians should faithfully hold others in their church accountable to the moral standards of … Read More