Christians are persons who no longer seek their salvation, their deliverance, their justification in themselves, but in Jesus Christ alone. They know that God’s Word in Jesus Christ pronounces them guilty, even when they feel nothing of their own guilt, and that God’s Word in Jesus Christ pronounces them free and righteous even when they […]
Deliverance beyond our Feeling
The Gracious Extra of Community
“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called․that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9 “There […]
Called to Peace
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 “Jesus’ followers are called to peace. When Jesus called them, they found their peace. Now they are not only to have peace, but they are to make peace. To do this they renounce violence and strife. Those things never help the […]
What poverty is
“Poverty is not simply a lack of income, or other material attributes such as housing, food, access to fresh water or consumer goods. Such needs are, of course, fundamental symptoms of what it is like to be poor, but poverty has far wider dimensions; poverty is a lack of opportunity, a lack of power over […]
The Path of Discipleship
The Christian life is always where God freely gives his life to us and we freely give our lives to him in return. It is where we love because we have been loved. It is where we forgive because we have been forgiven. It is where we serve because we have been served. It is […]
HGLT 4: Key Issues in Leadership
Becoming an effective home group leader does not require you to be an exceptionally gifted person. You don’t need advanced level skills in group dynamics, a post-doctorate degree in theology, the wisdom of Solomon or the patience of Job – though a little of the latter two might definitely be an advantage! What you do […]
That’s my King
Dr Shadrach Meshach Lockridge (March 7, 1913 – April 4, 2000), former Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego, at his very best.
What we were made for – J.I. Packer
“What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set for ourselves in life? To know God. What is ‘eternal life’ that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. ‘This is eternal life ; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent’ (John 17:3)” (J.I. Packer, […]
The rewards of self-denial
“The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to […]
Effective Leadership 1: Committed to Personal Health
Back in its 1996 report to the General Assembly, Stress in the Ministry, the Board of Evangelism and Christian Training of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland revealed that as many as 1 in 4 serving as Ministers in the Presbyterian Church have been off work, or have considered leaving the ministry altogether, because of the […]