Unity of knowledge is not a politically correct concept, especially when it comes to claims about knowing anything about the Son of God. Plenty of churches desire unity when it comes to “common care,” but few churches desire unity when it comes to “common convictions.”

What was on the mind of Christ right before he came into the world?

We don't merely need the peace of God, we need the God of peace. The key to overcoming anxiety is believing that “the Lord is at hand.” But what will the Lord do when he is with us? Will he give us the money we need? Will he thwart the plans of the person who is trying to harm us? Will he spare our children from all accidents and disease? We know that at least occasionally the answer to these questions is “NO.” So then what difference does God’s presence make when he offers no promises to a wield his power in the ways we would like?

Christ is praying for all his people, and his prayers never fail. 

Pagan meditation seeks to suppress the analytical side of the mind and focus on the feelings and of the heart, while Christian meditation is so rational, it can actually cause us to regularly contend with our hearts. Christians don't follow (or listen) to their hearts, we preach to our hearts. 

Like Jacob the Patriarch, real men wrestle with God. They don’t pick fights with someone half their size. 

A primer on the doctrine of assurance of salvation.

Christians must learn to meditate, but not like the pagans. There’s a massive difference between the two.

In the second half of verse 2 of our text, John says that Jesus is the propitiation, “not for our [sins] only, but also for those of the whole world.” This little phrase has sparked a lot of theological controversy. Those who oppose the Reformed (Calvinist) view of salvation say that this verse refutes the doctrine of “limited atonement” - that Christ died only for the elect. However, Calvinists rightly respond by pointing out that this verse cannot mean that Christ actually satisfied God’s wrath on behalf of every person, or else everyone would be saved. Scripture is clear that the wrath of God abides (remains) on those who do not obey Jesus (John 3:36). Thus they argue that the “whole world” refers to God’s elect from every tribe, tongue, and nation, not to every person who has ever lived.

This week, lay-elder Connor Hensley preached on Persistent Prayer in Luke 18:1-8.