I recently heard the story of a pastor who got in a predicament. The story goes like this: “A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short on time and couldn’t find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under his windshield wiper thatContinue reading “Appoint or Elect? How should we select leaders in the church? Titus 1:5-9, Part 1”
Tag Archives: Paul
What Christians need: Grace, Peace…and Titus? Titus 1:1-4, Part 5
What do you need? A million bucks? I often daydream about how a million dollars would free up my life. But that’s not really what I need. What do we need? We conclude this week’s blog posts on Titus 1:1-4 today looking at what Christians need. If you haven’t read the previous four posts, IContinue reading “What Christians need: Grace, Peace…and Titus? Titus 1:1-4, Part 5”
Is eternal life a real thing? Titus 1:1-4, Part 4
Take a look at Titus 1:2. There is a repeated word in the original Greek in which Paul wrote, but for some reason the English translations I looked at don’t repeat it. Here is how verse two would look if that word were repeated: “in hope of life eternal, which was promised by God, whoContinue reading “Is eternal life a real thing? Titus 1:1-4, Part 4”
Find truth in a world of fake news – Titus 1:1-4, Part 3
Truth does not seem to be in good standing in our culture. Facebook recently reported that they deleted over 3 billion fake accounts. This means there are a lot of people who want to influence others around the world with untruth. Fake news! Our previous sermon series was all about false ideas that Christians believe,Continue reading “Find truth in a world of fake news – Titus 1:1-4, Part 3”
Of Slaves and Apostles – Titus 1:1-4, Part 2
Have you ever called yourself a slave to your boss? A slave to your job? Maybe you have slaved over a project in school. Or perhaps you worked slavishly doing yard work. We use the word “slave” in many ways, even though that word has a horrid connotation because it describes the very awful andContinue reading “Of Slaves and Apostles – Titus 1:1-4, Part 2”
Being faithful in the waiting [First Sunday of Advent, part 3]
Thus far the readings for the First Sunday of Advent have begun with a prophecy from 600 BC that God would send a new king to Israel, and that the people needed to get ready for that king by practicing repentance. We looked at Luke 1, which describes Jesus as the fulfillment of that prophecy. Continue reading “Being faithful in the waiting [First Sunday of Advent, part 3]”
An early church MMA match – Faith and Works: Paul versus James, Round 1
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”
How you can experience eternal life before you die (and why waiting till after you die is foolish)
Do you feel like following Jesus is difficult? I sometimes think that I must be doing it wrong, because following Jesus seems like it should be easy, but I can struggle with it. Is it is struggle for you too? And what do we do when following Jesus seems too difficult? We so often flee pain,Continue reading “How you can experience eternal life before you die (and why waiting till after you die is foolish)”
How my Google Home taught me about discontentment (and how to be more content)
My smart phone was due for an upgrade recently, so when an advertisement came via email offering the newest version of my phone; I took a look. The advertisement on that email said that if I pre-purchased the new phone—it was due to be released in a few weeks—I could also get a Google HomeContinue reading “How my Google Home taught me about discontentment (and how to be more content)”
What if Christianity’s massive investment in worship is wrong?
Is it possible that Christianity’s massive investment in worship is misguided? Think about it. We invest a lot of time, money and energy into worship, don’t we? One morning or evening each week is devoted to it. Our society is very much oriented toward a weekly schedule that keeps Sunday mornings free. We also buildContinue reading “What if Christianity’s massive investment in worship is wrong?”
Engaging Scripture 