One of most discouraging books I ever read is The Lost History of Christianity by Philip Jenkins. I found the book discouraging because it tells the sad story of the Christian church in places where the church started and thrived. The book’s subtitle says it all, “The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in theContinue reading “What the “Lost” history of Christianity can teach us – John 15:1-10, Preview”
Tag Archives: John 15
Growing a relationship with the Holy Spirit – John 14-16, Part 4
What does it mean to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is invisible and how do you have a relationship with an invisible being? Are you supposed to hear something? Feel something? In John chapter 15, verses 26-27, Jesus describes a relationship with the Spirit like this: “When the Advocate comes, whomContinue reading “Growing a relationship with the Holy Spirit – John 14-16, Part 4”
When Jesus leaves us, we are not alone – John 14-16, Part 3
Judas has a question. (Not the bad Judas…this is the other Judas.) He’s been listening to Jesus talk about leaving them, about sending the Holy Spirit to be with them. Jesus has just said that he will show himself to his disciples, but not to the world. Judas is confused. He asks Jesus in JohnContinue reading “When Jesus leaves us, we are not alone – John 14-16, Part 3”
Why Jesus’ teaching “If you love me, obey me” is not gaslighting – John 14-16, Part 1
When I was in Bible College, I was in the college library one day reading Christianity Today magazine. It was the September 1994 issue, and in that issue an article really caught my attention. The title of the article is “Who’s Afraid of the Holy Spirit?” by Daniel Wallace, at the time a professor atContinue reading “Why Jesus’ teaching “If you love me, obey me” is not gaslighting – John 14-16, Part 1″
Are you afraid of the Holy Spirit? – John 14-16, Preview
Who’s afraid of the Holy Spirit? My guess is that most of us would say we are not afraid of the Holy Spirit. But I wonder if any of us might say that the Holy Spirit seems mysterious at best, distant or mute at worst. Some of us might say that we are uncomfortable withContinue reading “Are you afraid of the Holy Spirit? – John 14-16, Preview”
The first and most important step to growing goodness in our lives – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 3
During my first few years as senior pastor, I remember a thought I had nearly every Sunday when I was studying for and writing the sermon each week. I thought, “the people don’t need to hear this…they already know it…look at them…look how good they are. What could this sermon possibly say that they needContinue reading “The first and most important step to growing goodness in our lives – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 3”
Do you feel disconnected from God? – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Part 4
How close do you feel to God? Do you feel distant? Maybe you participate in your church’s worship, and you feel closer, but the rest of the week is so darn busy you can go for days without giving God a thought. The result feels like a growing distance between you and God. As weContinue reading “Do you feel disconnected from God? – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Part 4”
Let go and let God? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s involvement in our lives. Part 4]
I would like to recommend that you not say the following to people going through pain: Let go and let God. This is popularized in Carrie Underwood’s song, “Jesus Take The Wheel.” Before I explain why this might not be a helpful statement, it is important to note that there is much to commend aboutContinue reading “Let go and let God? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s involvement in our lives. Part 4]”
Engaging Scripture 