Paul appeals to the Christian's vertical experience with God through Jesus Christ, and instructs them to allow that experience to drive them to prefer one another in love....
Five Biblical reasons why God ordains suffering: 1) suffering deepens faith, 2) suffering increases your experience of glory in eternity, 3) God uses the suffering of some to help others, 4) sufferings carry the gospel of Christ's sufferings, 5) the gospel's beauty is made clear through suffering...
Over the next week I will be posting my brief account of my conversion to Christ in four or five parts. Here's a taste of part one. "I was not a Christian. Of course, I didn’t know I was unsaved. Most of us don’t know we are unsaved until our eyes are opened by the miracle of new birth and we awaken as believers who have a personal, intimate faith in Jes...
Keep ReadingQuestion Three: Are You a Faithful Friend Yesterday, I gave three characteristics of a foul friend. Today I conclude the four part series with three characteristics of faithful friend. First, a faithful friend is there in times of trouble. “Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of a c...
Keep ReadingNoel Piper writes, "I was sixty years old when this story began — when I was forced to have friends. I am ashamed that, until then, I could have remained so ignorant of what God intended friendship to be. At the same time, I am filled with gratitude that God didn’t leave me alone. Good things can happen in solitude. Quietness can be a sweet place to meet G...
Keep ReadingQuestion 2: Are You a Foul Friend? Let me suggest three traits. First, a foul friend is quick to criticize. In my opinion, there are two kinds of people that have the hardest time making friends. One is the person wants to have friends so badly she can’t understand what it means to be a friend. These people are socially unaware. They don’t ask questions...
Keep ReadingQuestion 1: Are You a Fake Friend? Fake friends use people. Money is the example in Proverbs, but there are other ways to use people. Some people get close to pastors or politicians or athletes because they want access, power, or popularity. Others may be so accustomed to soliciting favors for business or school or church affairs that they can no longer tell when their pe...
Keep ReadingWe talk a lot about relationships in the church. There are scores of marriage seminars, retreats, and conferences. There are video series and books for newlyweds and engaged couples. Most every church offers marital counseling and most every pastor preaches somewhat regularly on marriage. And the same is true for parenting. There are dozens of books on raising children. Th...
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Keep ReadingBeware of bad exegesis and sermons based upon it....
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