The automatic answer to that question for most Christians is “yes,” but are you sure? Let’s take a closer look and see if that is true. Last week we looked at four questions that philosophers and other thinkers over the centuries have asked in their attempts to find some meaning in life. 1.) “Is there a God, and if so, what is He like?” 2.) “Who am I?” 3. “Can I relate to God, and if so, how?” 4.) “Why am I here?” Over…
History is full of stories of buried treasure, sunken pirate ships and long-forgotten Spanish galleons that made their discoverers fabulously wealthy. Some of our most popular movies and most beloved classic literature, such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Treasure Island, have kept us entertained with similar stories. It’s great to fantasize about common people such as ourselves finding such treasure, like the farmer who lived on the island of Milo in the Aegean Sea in 1820. While plowing his field he unearthed…
We saw last week in Galatians 3:23, 24 that God has given us His perfect law for two reasons, the distinction between them being extremely important: guarding us until we come to faith, and then guiding us in our lives once we do. We looked at its guarding function in the civil government and today we will examine its guarding use in the family. The family is the basic building block of any society. Children must learn the difference between destructive and acceptable conduct if…
In the last few postings I may have left the impression that the law of God is somehow the “bad guy” as we enter the life of faith as a Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth, as sings King David in Psalm 119:97, the phrase that is the title of today’s posting. Psalm 119 constitutes the longest chapter in the Bible, and is made up of David’s view of the law as perfect without any blemishes, his attempts to follow it as…
Last week we entertained the wild idea that I really can trust God, who is ordaining all things, not only in the world at large but in my daily life, even with my “want to’s.” Can a sovereign God not change my thoughts and actions from sinful to obedient, from making excuses for sin to repentance for sin, from fear to faith, from sloth to diligence, from discouragement to enthusiasm, from sadness to joy, and from hate to love, whenever He desires to do…
This phrase is found in Philippians 2:12 and is one of the favorite biblical references of those serious Christians who believe that their spiritual progress in this life depends on their commitment and their diligent efforts to grow spiritually. The word “work” in this instruction from Paul to the Philippians and thus to these industrious Christians seems to be a signal to buckle down and get busy obeying the law of God, reading God’s Word, fellowshipping with other Christians, and developing their prayer life.…
Karl Barth, considered by many to be the leading theologian of the 20th century, is said to have been asked by a student at the University of Chicago during his trip to America in 1962, “Can you summarize your whole life’s work in theology in one sentence?” Barth, 76 at the time, is said to have answered, “Yes, I can, in the words of a song I learned at my mother’s knee: ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’”…
To many Christians, the Christian life consists of being saved from suffering the consequences of going to Hell and enjoying the privileges of going to Heaven. However, I believe that Christianity is much, much more. A summary of what the Bible teaches on the topic is the subject of the following homily I will bring at the 50th wedding anniversary of two long-time friends next weekend. It is a real thrill for me to be here today to help commemorate Bill and Jane’s…
Last Sunday I went to church with a good friend. I had attended the church before, had enjoyed the excellent worship and heard a very well-prepared, well-delivered, and stimulating message, so I was anticipating another similar experience. The singing time, again as before, brought me from the parking lot directly into the presence of the Lord, where I was drawn into losing myself in worshiping Him. It was exhilarating! My cup was overflowing. At the conclusion of the worship time, the senior pastor stood…
In the lifelong process of learning how to wear Jesus’ easy yoke in order to pull the load God has ordained that I pull in my lifetime, it has been very helpful for me to see myself as an investigator on a mission of discovery. What’s keeping me from entering into the life of living more consistently by faith, powering through life’s pitfalls with love, joy and peace in the midst of personal turmoil, failures and setbacks in my life? Is that not what…