The Central Moment

Because of Jesus, everything that would sideline or disqualify us in the sight of God becomes irrelevant. We have a new identity, a new nature and a divine destiny because we are ‘in Christ’ -- justified by faith and heirs of God’s promise. May you see yourself today in the same way that God sees you ‘in Christ.’

All of God’s promises center in Jesus -- our Savior and soon coming King. Those promises do not depend on human performance, but they are received by faith. Our performance may be imperfect but the promise of God always prevails -- all the way from Abraham to you!

How can you know that you are justified before God and ready to meet him should he return today? Many Christians suffer from a spiritual insecurity that robs them of the assurance of their salvation. Yet Jesus bore the curse for us so that we can know for sure that we are saved and belong to him.

Reaching the nations has always been the heart of God, even in his dealings with Israel in the Old Testament. Although he made a covenant uniquely with Israel, out of it came a Savior by whom all nations will be blessed. It is a prophetic and yet missional truth that involves every one of us.

Why would the Apostle Paul accuse a New Testament church of being bewitched? The answer points directly to how we try to live the Christian life -- striving in our own flesh or living in the power of the Spirit. Simply being religious is never enough!

Old Testament law and New Testament grace—are they connected, or should they be? And how does the death and resurrection of Jesus affect that question? Fasten your seatbelts as Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wades into this issue as only he can.

The more we add to the gospel the more pressure we add to the lives of people. The simplicity of the gospel that centers on Jesus frees us. How can we truly be justified before God? How can we live free of guilt and with a transformed life? The simple gospel of Christ answers those questions with hope for everyone!

Some people like confrontation too much, but most of us like it too little. It’s one of the hardest responsibilities of leadership and one of the most difficult skills to learn and apply appropriately. It also requires a kind of courage and conviction that is stronger than the desire for people to like us.

God has no favorites but, according to the Apostle Paul, he does want us to remember the poor. In this fascinating passage from his letter to the Galatians we get a peek into the dynamic and sometimes tense relationships between high level early church leaders who still cared for the spiritually and physically poor.

The prevalence of false teachers and aberrant doctrine in the church has been amplified by technology and social media. “If it’s on the internet it must be true” is an adage that will leave you in the ditch. Only the foolish believe it. Yet holding to orthodox Christian faith and sound doctrine is mission critical to the future of the church.