Text: Matthew 21:1-17 | Listen to Message Can we start with the simple acknowledgement that our world – from the most traditional to the most progressive culture – is built on an obsession with self? We constantly and instinctively put our own opinions and interests above the needs of others. We want what we want, and we’re mad when we don’t get our way. Our pride makes us miserable, frustrated, and envious. It produces conflict, division, and even war. But we’re not about to stop being proud anytime soon, are we? That’s the funny thing about pride: we can always convince...
Text: 1 Peter 1:10-12 | Listen to Message “All religions are just different paths to the same God.” “Religion is just a fairy tale, and only fools believe in fairy tales.” “There’s nothing unique about Christianity. It’s just another copycat religion.” “With so many religions in the world, who’s to say theirs is the right one? Just live and let live.” If you interact with our relativistic, pluralistic culture around the subject of religion, it won’t be long before you hear a bunch of statements like these. All religions get thrown in a blender and treated as if they all claim...
Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9 | Listen to Message Christians don’t live by wishful thinking or a vaguely positive feeling. We don’t make a blind leap of faith and then take a “wait and see” approach. We have a new and living hope – because our hope is nothing less than our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Thus, Christian hope is an exclamation point, not a question mark. If we functionally believed this good news, it would completely transform our perspective on trials (which the Bible sometimes refers to as tests). And yet trials/tests pose one of the biggest existential threats to our...
Text: 1 Peter 1:1-2 | Listen to Message How are Christians to live in a culture that’s increasingly hostile to our faith and values? How are we to act when our impulse is often to compromise or sell out our future for some immediate benefit? How do we react to the incessant ridicule of and discrimination against our beliefs? These are some of the timely, relevant questions addressed by the apostle Peter’s first letter. To help them navigate the challenges of living as Christians in the idolatrous empire of Ancient Rome, Peter told believers of the Diaspora to see themselves as...
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 | Listen to Message Most Christians are familiar with Jesus’ words instituting The Lord’s Supper (also called Communion): “Do this in remembrance of me.” For those of us in church, we hear these words fairly often. But what does it actually mean to remember – and to proclaim – the Lord’s death until he returns? Remembering something might be as simple as recalling it from your memory. For example, you might remember that 2 + 2 = 4, that December 25th is Christmas Day, or that you need to get eggs from the grocery store. But Jesus...
Text: Philippians 4:13 | Listen to Message Just in the past week or two I’ve seen a couple memes on social media poking fun at those who misuse Philippians 4:13. One said, “I can do all things through a verse taken out of context.” The other: “I can win all sports games through Christ who strengthens me.” Unfortunately, this is exactly how many contemporary Christians (and even our nonbelieving peers) use this verse. It’s a rabbit’s food, a good luck charm, a boost of positivity. It’s the ultimate hype verse for anything and everything we’ve put our minds to – and...
Text: Romans 8:28 | Listen to Message One of the most common questions in pastoral counseling (a.k.a. friendship) goes something like this: If God is so good, then why did he allow this bad thing in my life? As soon as the question is asked, many Christians act as if they’ve said something wrong – almost blasphemous – and they try to backtrack. I mean, I know this is actually good but I just don’t understand how. It sure seems bad. And it hurts. Let be clear: bad is bad, and good is good, and we don’t have to pretend like...
Text: Matthew 18:20 | Listen to Message Jesus told his disciples, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.” If ever there were a promise to be claimed by every poorly-attended prayer meeting, small group, and Christian marriage, this would be the one! Jesus is right here with us, amen? It’s commendable that we want a God who’s near, and not far off, whenever we gather in his name. But is that what this verse is really saying? Think about this: What are you unintentionally saying about one believer praying alone, whether by choice...
Text: Jeremiah 29:11 | Listen to Message Got a Christian friend graduating from college, getting married, or interviewing for a new job? Then you’ve probably seen this verse dropped into a greeting card, email, or social media meme, wishing them well: I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Let me make three quick observations about this verse: One, we read this as if the “you” here is us. Two, the health and wealth, “prosperity gospel” interpretation of this verse simply doesn’t hold...
Text: Proverbs 29:18 | Listen to Message It’s a popular verse at pastor’s conferences around the globe: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It’s a little melodramatic, right? Pastors, if you don’t cast vision for your churches, people are literally going to die! Well, no, they’re not. But leaders love making sensational claims that sell books and that sell out conferences. Even if it means taking the Bible out of context. Now, I’m not against vision; I’m all for it. I’m a big believer in leaders setting the vision for the people and organizations they lead. People need a...
