Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
1 John 1:5-2:2 Introduction I have been involved with churches for most of my life. Even when I was an atheist, I found myself often reflecting on religion and church. I have been part of three different denominations representing three very distinct traditions within Christianity. I have been a pastor for about twenty-five years. None … Read More “Wrestling With Sin” »
A sermon based on 1 John 1:5-2:6 preached at Queen Street Baptist Church. Introduction What is sin? Well, isn’t it obvious? Sin is doing something bad. We can all probably recollect a time when we did something that was pretty bad. Perhaps not requiring legal intervention, but still something that you are not proud of. The … Read More “What is Sin?” »
1 John 1:5-2:2 Introduction What does it mean to be a Christian? Well, that is easy, you just believe in Jesus. Yes, faith in Christ is the foundation of the protestant church. People become Christians by faith alone. Read through Romans, the Apostle Paul goes through it over and over again. It is not be … Read More “Faith Test: Sin” »
A devotion based on 1 John 1:8. John’s first letter is rich in practical theology. The letter is an attempt to demonstrate what the Christian life is supposed to look like. One of the areas addressed is that of sin. He makes it clear that a life of sin is not compatible with following Jesus. … Read More “Devotions: 1 John” »
I often see blog posts, articles, Facebook links, etc. asking if Christians are allowed to blank. You fill in the blank. Are Christians allowed to drink? Are Christians allowed to buy a lottery ticket? Are Christians allowed to give less than a tithe? Are Christians allowed to watch this or that television show? It is … Read More “Are Christians Allowed to … ?” »
The third part of my series on 1 John. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also … Read More “Just Do It” »
The second part in my series on 1 John. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. … Read More “Attributes of Sin” »
Romans 7 Introduction Look at your life. Is it the way you want it to be? I do not mean do you have the possessions you want or have you accomplished what you want. I mean, how is your inner self? Are you the kind of person that you want to be? Do you find … Read More “Trapped” »
Romans 3:9-20 Introduction So, how bad are we? Now that is a dangerous question. Do we really want to ask that? Imagine putting yourself out there, taking a risk, and doing something outside your comfort zone. Then you turn to someone, someone who is really good at what you just tried and ask them that … Read More “So, How Bad Are We?” »
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I … Read More “What About Sin?” »
