As we turn to the subject of the 19th chapter in the Westminster Confession, we’ll explore three uses of God’s law in the Christian life: the law as a curb, a mirror, and a guide. In the process, we’ll learn (as Luther did) that “the power to live according to the Law comes from the […]

We face a crisis of authority, in which leaders misuse their authority either by abdication or tyranny. The purpose of Jesus’ coming reveals a better way: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus is the Servant-King. He exercises […]

One of the saddest things in the world is a Christian who doesn’t have assurance. As you may know by experience, it’s possible to be saved but not enjoy full assurance of salvation. Possession of salvation and assurance of salvation are not exactly the same thing. That brings us to the subject of the 18th […]

Have you ever faced a situation that was so hard you thought it might be impossible? In our text, Jesus has just had a hard conversation with the rich young ruler, which ended in rejection and sadness. This occasion leads Jesus to consider a hard situation: the prospect of a rich man’s entering the kingdom […]

“Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” This simple song captures the heart of the text before us. Last week we considered marriage and divorce, divorce and remarriage. Here Jesus in […]

St. Francis of Assisi is often reported as having said, “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” Now, from what I can tell, Francis never actually made that statement, but it does express something true: sometimes actions speak louder than words. We all know what this is like. How you vote, […]

Usually we think of fire as an image of destruction. Last week we spoke of hell fire, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. But there is another way of thinking about fire. If you pass a precious metal (like silver or gold) through its flames, something interesting happens. Yes, […]

Our text is a shocking reminder that no sin, however heinous, is beyond forgiveness, that no sinner, however wayward, is beyond hope … if he repents. That brings us to the subject of the 15th chapter in the Westminster Confession: Repentance unto life. Tonight we’ll explore this doctrine in action in the life of King […]

What’s the difference between a deacon and an elder? What does a deacon do? What makes someone qualified or disqualified? These are great questions, and tonight I hope to shed biblical light on the office of deacon. With that goal in mind, we will turn to the passage where we encounter deacons for the first […]

“Begin with the end in mind.” Stephen Covey coined this phrase in his famous book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Effective people, according to Covey, begin with the end in mind. In some ways, this is common sense. It’s true if you’re building a house, taking the first steps toward marriage, or writing […]