So far this week, we’ve studied what Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:20, when he says, “Do not hold prophecies in contempt.” But what do we do with the fact that the person is teaching something or prophesying about something that might be incorrect doctrine or teaching? Paul addresses that important concern in what heContinue reading “Preachers are not Holy Spirit robots? – 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, Part 3”
Tag Archives: preaching
How to have radical love for your church leaders – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Part 3
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult & community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. Emily grew up as a pastor’s kid, and therefore she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to this week’s passage. As youContinue reading “How to have radical love for your church leaders – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Part 3”
A new house church network begins, and right away there is trouble – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 1
Today we start a study through the New Testament book titled 1st Thessalonians. What is 1st Thessalonians? Turn to Acts 17, because there’s a back story we need to hear if we want to answer the question “What is 1st Thessalonians?” In Acts 17, the Christian church is only about 20 years old. What JesusContinue reading “A new house church network begins, and right away there is trouble – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 1”
The deception of worship services (and a bonus topic: Does God command genocide???) – 1st Samuel 15, Part 1
Did Jesus ask us to hold worship services? Did he ask us to build church buildings? Did he want us to have pews? Did Jesus teach us to gather here on Sundays for singing and sermons? In the book Jim & Casper Go To Church, Jim is an evangelical Christian and Casper is Matt Casper,Continue reading “The deception of worship services (and a bonus topic: Does God command genocide???) – 1st Samuel 15, Part 1”
Preaching is like packing apples & Church competition can be brutal – What I wish I would have known before becoming a pastor, Part 3
In high school I worked at Hess Bros Fruit Company, packing bags of apples into boxes. Bags come down the conveyor, and I would gently place the bags in boxes, close the box lid, and send it down the line to the box-taping machine. Then I would do it again. And again. And again. ForContinue reading “Preaching is like packing apples & Church competition can be brutal – What I wish I would have known before becoming a pastor, Part 3”
How The Matrix taught me people are difficult (me included) – What I wish I would have known before becoming a pastor, Part 2
In my first year as senior pastor of Faith Church, I showed a video clip from the R-rated movie The Matrix, attempting to illustrate a sermon. I could have shown a brief clip from the film that was relatively tame, but, no, I had the great idea of showing a ten-minute clip, including then scene whereContinue reading “How The Matrix taught me people are difficult (me included) – What I wish I would have known before becoming a pastor, Part 2”
I’m nervous about the next Q & A week on the blog – Preview
For the past few years at Faith Church, one Sunday per quarter, I take a break from the sermon series, and I have a Current Events sermon. In those sermons, I scour the headlines, and study Scripture to try to help us think Christianly about the headlines. As always, I’ve blogged those sermons here. We’veContinue reading “I’m nervous about the next Q & A week on the blog – Preview”
The problem with contemporary worship services – Study Scripture together, Part 4
The first Christians demonstrated communal Bible study. In Acts 2:42-47, the very first description of the very first church, we learn that the church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching. We read that they were together. The met in the temple courts and in homes. Add up those statements, and we can see how theContinue reading “The problem with contemporary worship services – Study Scripture together, Part 4”
The power of words to heal or harm – Speaking life to one another, Part 2
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 “The power of words to heal or harm – Speaking life to one another, Part 2”
Why Paul was out of his mind – John 20, Preview
Imagine you are sitting in a church worship services, and the preacher is preaching. Suddenly someone stands up, interrupts the preacher, and says out loud, “You are out of your mind!” That would be dramatic, wouldn’t it? That’s never happened to me, but it did once to the Apostle Paul. Paul preached a lot. WeContinue reading “Why Paul was out of his mind – John 20, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 