Did you know that the early church had an theology MMA match? James vs. Paul. Paul said Faith doesn’t work. James said Faith does work. Each was an important leader in the early church. Paul its greatest missionary. James the bishop of its biggest church (and brother of Jesus). They really seem to conflict withContinue reading “An early church MMA match – Faith and Works: Paul versus James, Round 1”
Monthly Archives: October 2017
How to have faith that pleases God
Do you know what faith is? Do you know if your faith is pleasing to God? Yesterday I mentioned a definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1. After teaching that description of faith, the writer of Hebrews begins to describe some of the heroes of the Bible and how they demonstrated faith in God. First heContinue reading “How to have faith that pleases God”
Does God require faith that is 100% without doubt?
Faith Church. That’s the name of our church. Back in 1968, when they got this church started, why would people choose to name a new church, Faith Church? I wonder what they were thinking. What is faith? Most often we think faith is belief. And for good reason. Faith does mean belief. It means that inContinue reading “Does God require faith that is 100% without doubt?”
How to become more gracious
Have you ever had an encounter with someone who was less than gracious? Have you been accused? Confronted? Or maybe you’re in the store, waiting in line at checkout, and right in front of you is a family with young children. Just then one of the kids start freaking out because the parent won’t letContinue reading “How to become more gracious”
God wants to adopt you
I have been inside a courtroom for actual proceedings five times in my life. The first time was my fault, and it was scary. The second time was a school field trip, and it was a relief…it wasn’t about me this time! Those last three times? Well, they have been astoundingly beautiful. In each ofContinue reading “God wants to adopt you”
The one word that will help you step off the hamster wheel of not feeling good enough
Have you ever felt like you are not good enough? Maybe you’ve wondered if God is disappointed with you? Are you tired of your failures? Do you feel like you are on a hamster wheel, struggling to make progress in life, stop a bad habit, become more whole and healthy, be more consistent, stop aContinue reading “The one word that will help you step off the hamster wheel of not feeling good enough”
How the Winnebago can teach us something important about grace
Yesterday I introduced the new sermon series I’m giving at Faith Church this October. We’re pausing the Deuteronomy series in order to make way for the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Each week this month we’ll be looking at one of the Five Solas of the Reformation. This week we start with Sola Gratia,Continue reading “How the Winnebago can teach us something important about grace”
A 1517-era “social media post” that lit the world on fire
Imagine this: what if you could write a post on Facebook that would change the world? Would you do it? What if you knew ahead of time that your one little Facebook post would start wars, that people would get killed, and that you yourself would become a fugitive on the run, afraid for yourContinue reading “A 1517-era “social media post” that lit the world on fire”
Engaging Scripture 