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: sermon
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”
An experimental conversational sermon
For those of you who read the blog regularly, perhaps you noticed that I did not write any posts this past week. That is because at Faith Church we experimented with a conversational sermon. Normally I split my sermons into five parts and post one part each day Monday through Friday. Because of the conversationalContinue reading “An experimental conversational sermon”
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”
How to study the Bible – Studying Scripture together, Part 2
What is studying the Bible? Reading it? Yes, but we read lots of things for a variety of reasons. We read the newspaper differently than we read a novel or poetry or history. How, then, do we read the Bible so that we are studying it? There is one important attitude and one important actionContinue reading “How to study the Bible – Studying Scripture together, Part 2”
Personal Bible study is deficient, Preview
Do you have personal devotions? How about a quiet time? Maybe you read the Daily Bread? Maybe you use a phone app. I really like an app called Lectio 365. Some people try to read the through Bible in a year. There are all sorts of ways people read and study Scripture. So much ofContinue reading “Personal Bible study is deficient, Preview”
Does your view of God matter? – John 10:22-42, Part 1
I’d like you to consider the following question. True or False: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” That’s a quote by pastor and author, A. W. Tozer in his book, The Knowledge of the Holy, about the attributes of God. Read the quote again.Continue reading “Does your view of God matter? – John 10:22-42, Part 1”
Why we played the Silent Game in worship yesterday – Ezekiel 33:1-20, Part 1
Have you ever been with your kids or grandkids and played the Silent Game? It’s a contest to see who can be quiet the longest. No talking, no laughing, no noise of any kind. We parents and grandparents bring up the idea of the Silent Game usually because the kids are being noisy, and weContinue reading “Why we played the Silent Game in worship yesterday – Ezekiel 33:1-20, Part 1”
How to listen to sermons (or any teaching from the Bible) – Acts 17, Part 2
In the summer between my sophomore and junior year of college, I was on a college ministry team that traveled around the Northeast USA spending 10 weeks ministering at summer camps. One week we served at Camp Berea in Maine. Camp Berea gets its name from the people we’re going to meet today as weContinue reading “How to listen to sermons (or any teaching from the Bible) – Acts 17, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 