The current display of men's brokenness on the internet is grievous for many reasons.  For better or worse, everyone has a story, or an opinion, and a Facebook account to share it on.  There is no absence of voices or words.  Among all of the stories, confessions, and calls for repentance, there is one thing missing.   Almost completely unnoticed is the  absence of godly older men who lead like godly older men should. But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness... Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Titus (2.1-8) It [...]

If there is one thing I am notorious for doing in my sermons, it is trying to say too much.  I write too much and I talk too fast.  As a result, there are often a few notes of truth that get lost in all of the noise pouring out of my mouth.  Below, are a TEN of these "notes" that may have been missed in my last sermon. They do not represent thunderbolt-like truths you've never heard of but are probably more akin to 42 character quips you could twitter out--clever phrases that say so much...but so little at the same time.   If my sermon were a textbook, these would be the bold or italicized words you would pay attention to while working to ignore everything else that you know won't be on the "test".  Enjoy.   "Our obedience does not ever dictate our relationship with God; but it always [...]

Recently, Pastor Mark preached Malachi 2.10-16 | God is Faithful.   I am grateful that God has blessed our church with several men who can preach.  Each pastor brings his own experiences, style, and presuppositions to the text.   I once feared sharing the pulpit with anyone.  Over time, God has shown me the beauty of what different perspectives, styles, and voices can bring to a given text.  Though each sermon may sound and look different-- God is always glorified and they always preach gospel truth. I have found it difficult to worship when I don't preach on a Sunday. This is not a good thing (blog on this coming soon).   Unfortunately, when I don't have the privilege of preaching on Sunday morning, I often find myself meditating on how I might approach the particular passage being preached.   In no way am I suggesting that my approach is [...]

Yesterday, I preached 1Corinthians 1.18-31…three times. I've noticed every service I preach, the sermon sounds different.  1st service (1st period) is where I make all my mistakes.  2nd service, like 2nd period gets a "great education".  And the 3rd service is different for all kinds of reasons...I feel more relaxed, the group is smaller, its evening, and I know I'm going to Fred's Ale House for a pint right afterwards. But all three sermons this week focused on the foolishness with the cross in contrast to the “wisdom” of world—which really isn’t wisdom at all in the eyes of God. As always, there were several points I would explain more, statements I would modify, and new ideas I’d interject. Alas, that is why I blog. One idea that I would have liked to explore more was the idea that, according to Ephesians 3.8-10 God intends for the church to be [...]

Good giving begins with good theology.  In other words, what we give, how we give, and who we give to is directly connected with our understanding of God.  It is essential, therefore, to understand who God has revealed Himself to be, specifically, through how he gave to us. In the first sermon in our GIVE series, we saw that God gave generously.  God does not measure out his giving like some kind of greedy spinster.  He holds back nothing.  He did not give 10% of his time, service, or his love; He poured out 100% of everything of all He had--He gave 100% of Himself to us.  Generous giving is sacrificial giving.  And if Jesus gives us the picture of what sacrificial giving looks like most clearly, we know that sacrificial giving "hurts". It hurts our popularity, it hurts our comfort, it hurts our lifestyle in that it is only [...]