Next week is another Q & A week. Once per quarter I ask people in my congregation for questions or current events suggestions that they would like me to preach about. My goal is to bring biblical theology to bear on that subject to help us think Christianly about the headlines of the day. IContinue reading “What can we do to allow Jesus’ love to bring peace to America? Post the Ten Commandments in all school classrooms? – Preview”
Tag Archives: evangelism
Is there a difference between discipleship and evangelism? – 1st Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Preview
My church has changed the names of our committees numerous times. Currently we have a Leadership Team and Serve Teams. The reason for that is based in New Testament teaching about church leadership. The writers of the New Testament have lots to say about church leadership, and what they say pretty much boils down toContinue reading “Is there a difference between discipleship and evangelism? – 1st Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Preview”
Only 1% of churches are very effective in outreach? – 1 Thessalonians 2 & 3, Preview
A recent article notes “Evangelism is on life support in most churches.” The article reports a poll in which only 1% of pastors surveyed say their church is very effective in sharing the Good News about Jesus. Here’s the data: Does this relate to your church? Maybe a little? I’ll let you answer that for yourself. AsContinue reading “Only 1% of churches are very effective in outreach? – 1 Thessalonians 2 & 3, Preview”
What the Bible says we’re supposed to talk about in the church (and what we actually talk about) – Speaking life to one another, Part 1
This week I welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor, having served 30+ years in both local churches with his wife, Debbie, and in denominational administration. He has also taught theology and led a pastoral assessment center for many years. He and Debbie, along with their two daughters and son-in-law are membersContinue reading “What the Bible says we’re supposed to talk about in the church (and what we actually talk about) – Speaking life to one another, Part 1”
What do you think about End Times Prophecy? – Q & A, Part 5
This week we take a break from our Relationships in the Church series. At Faith Church this past week I gave a Q & A sermon. I asked the congregation for questions ahead of time, and then I attempted to bring biblical theology to bear on their questions. Here’s the next question: What is Faith Church’sContinue reading “What do you think about End Times Prophecy? – Q & A, Part 5”
How armor, footwear, good news and peace go together – Boots of Peace, Part 3
What is peace? It can be defined as “a set of favorable circumstances involving tranquility.”[1] In our study of the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul writes that we should have our feet with the readiness of the Gospel of Peace. How is Paul connecting all these concepts together? Armor, footwear, Gospel, and Peace.Continue reading “How armor, footwear, good news and peace go together – Boots of Peace, Part 3”
Perspective in the middle of tough times – Psalm 96, Part 3
In Psalm 96, verses 2 and 3 instruct us to proclaim God’s salvation day after day. This is the same idea that is encapsulated in the word “evangelism,” which is about proclaiming Good News. The psalmist reminds us that we have Good News story to share, and in verse 3 he describes it as declaringContinue reading “Perspective in the middle of tough times – Psalm 96, Part 3”
A second fishing miracle – John 21, Part 2
Jesus’ disciples have just had a terrible night of fishing, catching nothing. Then in the hazy hours of the morning a stranger shows up on shore. “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”Continue reading “A second fishing miracle – John 21, Part 2”
A confusing beginning to Jesus’ resurrection – John 20, Part 1
We make a big deal about Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. But I wonder how much you have thought about the resurrection since Easter? Do you think about the resurrection much? I suspect most of us, me included, think about it around Easter, and maybe every now and then when a song mentions it. But IContinue reading “A confusing beginning to Jesus’ resurrection – John 20, Part 1”
Why Christians should not be separate from the world – John 17:6-26, Part 3
Some Christians throughout the centuries have wanted God to take them out of the world. Many Christians have attempted to separate themselves from the world. Some have felt that the world is evil, and we Christians need to be unpolluted by the world. But does the (potentially) healthy concern about being unpolluted require separation? I don’tContinue reading “Why Christians should not be separate from the world – John 17:6-26, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 