They. We all know of the concept of “they” even though we often struggle to ever pin down who exactly “they” is. But, this we know: “They” is a powerful force at work in our world to counsel us, direct us, and intimidate us into heeding the code of cultural normalcy. It’s embarrassing to admit how successful “they” has been in this past decade in steering the Church of Jesus Christ. Especially since, there is a “They” that IS supposed to lead the Church of Jesus Christ—just not the one currently at the helm. It’s a divine “They” with a capital “T”—the triune God Himself. Let’s make sure we are following the “They” God created us to heed. 

Boxing and Christianity have a lot of similarities. They both demand similar strengths, similar perseverance, similar durability, and similar toughness. Both activities (boxing and Christianity) demand that you perform your challenging task with utmost precision while simultaneously being clobbered in the face. They are both extremely difficult. In fact, both are highly dangerous and even deadly. And both of the modern renditions of these sports are mere shadows of what they once were. The quality levels of both seem to have greatly deteriorated over the past thirty years. So, If the Christian life were likened to the art of boxing, it’s time to remake the boxer and rediscover the sweet science of boxing greatness.

Whether we ever speak it out loud, we tend to mutter inwardly to ourselves as believers about the all-out commitment our Savior demands of us. "Why so much?” We ponder. "Why can’t He just accept my pittance? Why must He require everything of me?" But, such inward questions only expose the frailty of our human perspective and uncover the deep lack in our spiritual fervor. For, against all logic, we genuinely think He’s asking too much of us. When in actuality, if there anything is too extravagant in the Gospel, it’s what He is freely giving to us. 

Faith seems so reasonable when you are sitting in a chair in your Bible school class. In light of Who God is, what God has done, and what He has promised—it’s totally logical to exclaim, “I trust Him! He can do anything!” But, it’s a bit more difficult when you find yourself at the edge of the Red Sea, in the Valley of Elah with a giant boasting, or, as this message explains—at the tomb of a brother who died and was buried four days earlier. Martha’s struggles in the eleventh chapter of John are a beautiful portrayal of how Jesus ever-so-gently cares for us when our faith trembles before the impossible task. He is faithful . . . always faithful.

The Devil is very good at what he does. He is amazing at the art of compromising the Christian. And yet, as good as our enemy is at seducing and sabotaging us, God is even more skilled at making Christians overcomes. If we allow our God’s Truth to be our guide, victory is assured over the snazzy speedboats of the Devil.

The European landscape has experienced many battles, but no country has endured the trauma of war like the small country of Belgium. And in Belgium, it is arguable that the city of Liege has taken the brunt of it. Likewise, the landscape of Scripture has endured many controversies. But the little passage of Hebrews 6:4-6 has experienced more than maybe any other. This small little portion of Scripture forces the question of God's judgment versus His mercy. Is He a God who is seeking any opportunity to cut us off or every opportunity to save us?

In 1911 one of the worst fires in U.S. history took place in the Asch Building in New York City. The doors were locked on the 8th floor, so everyone on the 8th, 9th, and 10th floor of the building were stuck. One man, the foreman of the building, had the key, but he ran to save his own life. May we not be as the foreman in the Asch Building, holding the solution for the salvation of others, but choosing to utilize our precious key merely for our own escape.

Many Christians are seasoned veterans at whooping at their televisions when their team scores that winning touchdown. But few Christians these days are adept at whooping heavenward when God does His God-thing and saves the day down here on earth. We seem to leap and dance at nonsensical things that matter little in light of eternity and yet sparingly supply God the ardent appreciation He truly deserves. What would happen if we flipped this thing around and began to celebrate the goodness, the faithfulness, and the victory of God as we ought?

Thirteen years ago, almost to the day, Eric delivered this message. It proved to be one of the most important messages in the formation of Ellerslie training and the Ellerslie church. With the Alumni in town this past week, Ellerslie has been strolling down Memory Lane. So, it seemed fitting to continue traversing Memory Lane all the way through Sunday morning. This is a fresh delivery of a life-impacting classic!

The Alumni Summit is finally here, and Ellerslie alumni, the world over, have arrived on campus. This week is always one of the most precious of the year and this particular year is sort of a retro-week at Ellerslie, where we go back to the first year of Ellerslie training and bring out of the mothballs some of the great classic messages that marked our beginnings. So, to kick off all the retro-fun, Eric dug in the sermon archives and yanked out this beauty. It's about Napoleon, yes. But more, it’s a profound meditation on the way a true King ought to be crowned—Jesus style.