A Call To Action: Evangelism Lost in Discipleship
In the heart of Christian discipleship lies the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). This mandate is not just a suggestion, but a directive that should shape the mission of the church. Yet within the […]
Worship Is a Time to Tear Things Up
“Yet even now,” declares Yahweh, ‘Return to Me with all your heart and with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and tear your heart and not your garments’” (Joel 2:13). There is a time to tear things up (Eccles. 3:7). In the early 2000s, I attended a conference with a young man whom I was discipling. During worship, […]
A Living Sacrifice of Worship
When we think of sacrifice today, we may think of the military. The father or mother who goes without to provide for their family. Those who alter their job or living conditions to take care of someone else. The historical meaning of sacrifice is a much different outlook. There are animal sacrifices in […]
Western Music and Christian Metaphysics
Christianity has played such an enormous role in the development of Western music that it would be impossible to separate the music from its religious origins. But since we live in a time where music theory is thought to be a secular and neutral endeavor, we should consider this topic. From the earliest moment of […]
The Doctrine of Total Depravity and Some of Its Applications
The T in the acronym TULIP stands for total depravity. It may not be the most notorious doctrine out of all the teachings mentioned in TULIP, but in any case, total depravity means that all the aspects of a human personality, soul, spirit, and body are affected by sin. This means that the effect of […]
The Priest’s War
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the tearing down of strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:3-4). The Greek historian, Herodotus once remarked that “in times of peace, sons bury their fathers; but in […]
Christ’s Worthiness: The Linchpin of Pulpit Ministry
“Finally then, brothers, we ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more” (1 Thess. 4:1) I want to ask you a difficult question that serves a good purpose. […]
Gentleness in Truth
“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is Christ ” (Eph. 4:15). Grandma Hamrick was one of the most gentle, loving women I have ever known. She was kind-hearted, tender, and always willing to help. Even today I hear from older people […]