Recent Posts
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Slam Dunk Worship
April 27, 2010
In corporate worship, is there a standard that helps to measur e our effectiveness that goes beyond raised hands and a smile on the face of the worshipper? The answer is yes.Somebody said something like this once (do I sound like the writer of the book of Hebrews?) that if you don't have a mark to shoot at, that you'll miss it every time.
Or was it that you'll hit something every time, but you have no idea what you hit?
At any rate, aimless worship is like competing in football without a game plan - you throw an occasional pass, you run off tackle, try a quarterback draw, and hope to get lucky. And you might get lucky and get a first down or two. But a victory? Nobody is that lucky!
In his book CHRIST-CENTERED WORSHIP, Bryan Chapell gives a tight summary of public worship that touches all the bases, and ends up being a home run (Oops, I just mixed sports metaphors!)....
"We do not have to insist on a particular order of worship elements or a particular style of expression to create authentic Christian worship. But what we cannot avoid, if we are to worship God rightly, are the dynamics of the gospel."
"The gospel that we are prepared to understand in the Old Testament and that we observe in the New Testament always confronts the believer with the greatness and goodness of God."
"This good news humbles the believers so that their worship naturally and necessarily includes acknowledgment of their need for his mercy."
"When God's people receive assurance of his provision, they respond with thanksgiving and such desire to please him that they long for the instruction of his Word and communion with his people."
"In short, because they have experienced his love, God's people love what and whom he loves - and their worship of him naturally includes expression of such love."
This being the time of year that the NBA championship is taking place, let me add one more sport to the metaphor list. You may not win every game, but you will win the series. Over the longhaul, your worshippers will grow into mature lovers of God and live for his glory.
Where Else Can We Go?
September 2, 2009
When Peter uttered these five words, they modeled the conclusion of every sincere believer - that Jesus alone is Lord, and has no rival - never has and never will. Simply stated, Jesus is the way to God, all other roads are cul-de-sacs.Jesus Christ is all, and in all; and where he is wanting (lacking, absent, not recognized, desired or honored) there can be no good.
Hunger cannot truly be satisfied without manna, the bread of life, which is Jesus Christ; and what shall a hungry man do that has no bread?
Thirst cannot be quenched without that water or living spring, which is Jesus Christ; and what shall a thirsty soul do without water?
A captive, as we are all, cannot be delivered without redemption, which is Jesus Christ; and what shall the prisoner do without his ransom?
Fools, as we are all, cannot be instructed without wisdom, which is Jesus Christ; without him we perish in our folly.
All building without him is on the sand, which will surely fall.
All working without him is in the fire, where it will be consumed.
All riches without him have wings, and will away.
A dungeon with Christ is a throne; and a throne without Christ is a hell.
The greatest evil in the world is sin, and the greatest sin was the first; and yet Gregory feared not to cry, “O happy fault, which found such a Redeemer!”
All mercies without Christ are bitter; and every cup is sweet that is seasoned but with a drop of his blood; he is truly the love and delight of the sons of men, without whom they must perish eternally; “for there is no other name given unto them, whereby they may be saved."
He is the Way; men without him are Cains, wanderers, vagabonds.
He is the Truth; men without him are liars, like the devil, who was so of old.
He is the Life; without him men are dead, dead in trespasses and sins.
He is the Light, without him men are in darkness, and go they know not whither.
He is the Vine; those that are not grafted in him are withered branches, prepared for the fire.
He is the Rock; men not built on him are carried away with a flood.
He is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the author and the ender, the founder and the finisher of our salvation.
He that does not have him, has neither beginning of good, nor shall have end of misery.
O blessed Jesus! How much better were it not to be, than to be without thee!
It is more desirable never to be born, than to die and not be in thee! A thousand bells come short of this, eternally to want (lack) Jesus Christ, as men do that want (lack) the gospel.
Saturday Night Ritual
June 22, 2009
No question, Saturday evening is traditionally a "night-on-the-town" opportunity. But if we are to be sitting in church just 12 hours later for worship, just what steps can be taken to make that time as significant as possible?
A Reality Check For Church Musicians
May 26, 2009
Worship music now holds a high and lofty position in the view of many (most?) church-goers and strategists. Without discounting its role, C.S. Lewis, as only he could do, warns of the need to keep our musical offerings in perspective.
George Herbert's Heart In Prayer
April 8, 2009
We've all prayed perfunctory prayers. "Thanks for the food, Lord. Amen." Taking the time to pray before a sermon has given way to opening illustrations that put the listeners "at ease." Not so George Herbert, the 17th century pastor/poet.
History In The Making
January 28, 2009
“Prayer is a grand cement, and lack of prayer is like withdrawing the force of gravitation from a mass of matter, and scattering it into so many separate atoms.” C. H. Spurgeon
The Ultimate No-Brainer
November 24, 2008
I'll do it myself. Where does that come from, anyway? We're born with it. But seeing God as the One we turn to instead of "the arm of flesh" is the key to living life well. God is in control, so let Him lead. He's really good at it.
Prepping The Heart For Worship
October 14, 2008
How many of us slide into church on Sunday morning, and the first song is like a cold shower. What might we do to prepare the heart for worship? A Puritan has a few valuable suggestions.
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made #2
October 12, 2008
Isaac Newton pondered,"Was the eye contrived without skill in optics, and the ear without knowledge of sounds?” The more we know about our bodies, the more our wonder expands. Or at least it should.
What? Are We Thinking?
October 8, 2008
More and more, this is an "anything goes" world. But as that attitude creeps into worship, the bizarre becomes commonplace. And God heads for the exit. What might make Him want to return?
