WORSHIP
A preacher’s reflections on worship services (Chuck Lawless): I love preaching the Word. That’s my calling, and I can’t imagine not doing it. So, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities I get to speak in different churches, and I’m especially thankful to worship with believers around the country. Moreover, I’m always pumped when . . .
CHURCH
Random thoughts about unity in the church (Kyle E. Sims at Gentle Reformation): It is good when there is unity because it is usually a catalyst for peace, purity, and prosperity within the church. The church can flourish when there is unity because everyone is pulling in the same direction and there is love for each other and the church as a whole. The apostle Paul tells us that we have to die to ourselves (Romans 8:12-13; Galatians 5:24; Philippians 3:8). Nowhere is this more important than in the church for whom Christ died and where He commands and empowers unity among his people.
CHRISTIAN LIFE
7 reasons how we talk really matters (Chuck Lawless): Let me get straight to the point with this post (that is, let me not waste any words): what we say matters. That reality means we must consider our words, be careful in what we say, and be ready to apologize when we harm with our words. James reminds us that the tongue is not easy to tame (James 3:1-12) – but still we must. Here’s why:
Maturity requires suffering (T.M. Suffield at Nuakh): Tears are like seeds, one day they will grow and flower into something of worth. Or, to be more accurate, they can be. This is not a burden to place on those in the midst of abject awfulness—I’ve experienced that one myself, the constant need to know what God is ‘doing’ in middle of it becomes a weapon to afflict those who are in pain—but as we grieve and mourn and live our lives we are offered the opportunity to learn wisdom and to mature.
10 questions I need to ask myself before confronting another brother in Christ (Paul Tautges at Counseling One Another): Christian love requires that we must at times confront one another about sin patterns that hinder growth toward spiritual fruitfulness and maturity. However, before we embark on what I like to call “the ministry of confrontation” let’s be ready to ask ourselves some questions.
PREACHING
Start with the End: 3 reasons you should try writing the end of your sermon first (Andy Shurson at For the Church): By crafting the conclusion upfront, you crystallize the central message you want to leave with your congregation. This focused idea becomes the lighthouse guiding all other parts of your sermon. As you construct the introduction and the body, you are constantly reminded of the primary point you want to make. It enables you to be sure that every element of your sermon—be it scriptural exploration, real-life applications, or illustrations—directly contributes to driving home your main point.
BIBLE INSIGHT
An invalid for 38 years (Mitch Chase): Some see no significance to the 38 years, but this author suggests that the mention of this may be tied to some events in the Old Testament.
10 things you should know about the Holy Spirit (Fred Sanders at Crossway): Some helpful reminders of who the Spirit is and what he does in our lives.
CULTURE
5 reasons Gen Z is primed for spiritual renewal (Kyle Richter / Patrick Miller at The Gospel Coalition): In the wake of the Asbury revival last spring, it looks as though the Holy Spirit is priming the souls of hundreds of thousands of teenagers and young adults for renewal—the very generation that has been repeatedly touted as the least religious ever. This may sound impossible, but Jesus got it right: “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). Dry bones are rattling to life. The question is whether we’ll be attuned to the Spirit’s work and join him.
Today’s defining question: What is a human? (Trevin Wax at The Gospel Coalition): What’s a human being? What does it mean to be made in God’s image? To be created male and female? Do we receive our identity and purpose or do we create identity and meaning for ourselves?
5 myths about gender identity (Samuel D Ferguson at Crossway): The Bible’s pathway out of pain takes the form not of transition but transformation, and this makes all the difference. Transformation doesn’t begin with our outer appearance but much deeper, with our minds and hearts: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). Transformation doesn’t culminate in a cosmetic refashioning of our bodies but in God’s resurrection and perfection of them: “we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:23).
“No” to trans, “Yes” to gay marriage. Will this be the new normal? (Glen Scrivener at The Gospel Coalition): An outstanding analysis of where we are today and where we may be heading in the gender identity crisis by a Christian apologist.