This time through Galatians 5, I was reminded of a reality of the Christian life that, if missed, can put us back into the bondage of self-generated righteousness. The qualities being cultivated in our lives are the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us, not...
Who is doing what? That’s the question I like to answer at home, work, and just about everywhere I go. When it comes to our salvation and growth in Christ, the Bible is very clear about who is doing what, and we will be greatly helped...
This summer at Grace Community Church we are thinking through the meaning of the greatest commandment (to love the Lord our God with all our heart), and the process for obeying it (to grow in love for God with all our heart). As Christians, God has...
The Bible was written as a communal book. From Deuteronomy’s “Hear, O Israel…”, to Revelation’s messages to the churches, we are reminded that the Bible was originally read and heard in the setting of God’s gathered people. This summer at Grace Community Church we have the opportunity...
This Sunday at Grace Community Church, the sermon text will be Acts 15, one of the momentous chapters of the Bible. It is here that we find the apostles and early leaders of the church thinking clearly, disputing passionately, and advocating forcefully to keep the...
Last week, I wrote about the many dangers, toils, and snares that we face on our journey toward heaven (you can read it here). This week, I remind us of the great promise that God, by grace, will get us all the way home. Here...
You may recognize the title of this Words of Grace as the opening line in one of the stanzas of the great hymn, Amazing Grace. Here is the whole stanza. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And...
I’ve heard it and I’ve said it more times than I can count… “I wish I had joy in my life.” That desire for joy is a good thing that goes bad when it is pursued in the wrong way and in weak things. Problems abound...
When the first-century Jews and devout converts to Judaism heard the gospel of Jesus the Savior in the synagogue on a Sabbath day, they wanted more. They followed the preachers Paul and Barnabas because their hearts were warmed by their message, and they took the...
