One of the hardest things we’ll ever face as followers of Christ is Jesus’s command in Luke 6:27: “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Cultivating a love for those who have wronged us is the work of the Holy Spirit; but we have a part to play as well. …
By Faith Alone: Our Fundamental Misunderstanding about Life in Christ
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 Did you know that saving faith doesn’t finish its work once you’re saved? While most believers firmly grasp the truth that faith alone leads to God’s salvation, there’s a fundamental …
Tithing Isn’t about Money
Perhaps the most controversial biblical issue today for believers is the issue of tithing. Many Christians struggle with this principle, either because they don’t understand why they should give 10% (or more), or because they don’t know the root and purpose of doing so. In Scripture, we find answers to both of these questions. It’s important to note that giving …
Destiny is a Decision: An Important Lesson from the Last Supper
You are one decision away from a totally different life. …a different reality. …a different state of mind. …a different destiny. What decision is that? It’s the decision to go all in for God. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” …
Two Types of Runaways
Recently, at The Worship Center, we studied the story of Jonah in the Old Testament. It’s easy to see how the disobedient prophet, who travels in the opposite direction from God’s instructions, is running from God. However, I want to examine a deeper truth hidden in this story. We see that the mariners on Jonah’s ship—the crew sailing to Tarshish—respond …
When God Sends a Storm out of Love
The Relentless Grace in the Story of Jonah Most of us are at least marginally familiar with the story of Jonah: a prophet runs from God; a big fish swallows him; and eventually, reaches the people group God called him to prophesy to, resulting in their repentance. Jonah’s story is a small excerpt in the midst of the Old Testament; …