I am thinking and rethinking Acts, the gospel, the good news of Jesus. This sermon series seeks to summarize what I saw when I studied Acts. We know these stories—do we really know these stories? I see in this series a study of first steps toward obedience, responding to and living out the Easter story, …
Continue reading “The Jesus Story (4): A Story of Forgiveness”
I am thinking and rethinking Acts, the gospel, the good news of Jesus. This sermon summarizes my study of Chapters 8-10. I will not mention many details of those chapters. You can read them. Stephen’s sermon and stoning; the scattering of the saints which served to spread the gospel; to Samaria; to a proselyte Jew …
Continue reading “The Jesus Story (3): A Story to Be Told to the Most Unlikely”
I am restudying Acts—seeking perspective, insights. I want to understand the gospel, the good news of Jesus, the story of the resurrection from the perspective of the early church. This study is based on my study of Acts 1-8. I will pass over many details of those chapters. I mentioned some of them briefly last …
Can you hear the story? Take care what you hear. Take care how you hear. I am rethinking Acts, the gospel, the good news of Jesus. This study is a summary of what I see when I read chapters 1-5. I will not have time to mention many important details which are found in those …
Continue reading “The Jesus Story (1): A Life and Death Matter”
The text for today comes from Philippians 3:7-16. This extended reading is usually divided into two sections: 7-11, 12-16. Three goals are suggested by the passage. What will it take in 2022 for me to grow spiritually? What should I pay closest attention to? In the passage, I see three commitments, three goals to guide …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: For Spiritual Growth in 2022–Live Intentionally!”
How is your spiritual vision? When 2020 came, many church bulletin articles focused on developing a 20/20 spiritual vision. Now another year has come and gone–2021 is history and 2022 has begun. We must think carefully about 2022 — think about our spiritual vision, our spiritual growth and development in 2022. In 2021, we did …
Continue reading “Sunday’s Coming: How to Develop Your Spiritual Vision”
A long time ago in another millennium, I read a book that changed the way I have looked at life across almost five decades. The book is The Compulsive Christian by David Mason, first edition 1969. Our society tends to measure life by what we have or by what we do. Mason reminds that God’s …
The saving work of God in the world today is exerted through the church. Nowhere does the New Testament describe a saving work of God outside the church. Do not say, God has not called the church to greatness. It’s not enough to be great when God has made it possible for the church to …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: The Importance of the Church”
Christmas is past. For most, that means the holiday season will begin to wind down. Yes, one more less than routine week remains between Christmas and New Year’s Day, but the gift returns and exchanges are already planned, the decor will soon come down to be stored for another year, and life will return to …
I spend a lot of Sundays involved in mission efforts–Mission Emphasis Sundays in the U.S., mission reports, teaching and preaching. I spend many more Sundays in various parts of Latin America. In the average year, I talk to a lot of churches and a lot of church leaders about missions. Speaking generally, U.S. churches are …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Doing a Lot with a Little”
