Making This the Best Advent and Christmas Season!
I was out shopping, something I hate to do, and people seemed more grim than ever. Anyone else feel that way? Instead of holiday cheer, it felt like despair and grumpiness was the new normal way to interact with each other. Unfortunately, it’s not just non-Christians, but many Christians are exhibiting unchristlike characteristics—bitterness, envy, jealousy, resentment, and mean-spiritedness. And for those facing very tough times—illness, heartbreak, financial loss—it’s difficult to feel the love and charity of Christmas. So here's an inspiring story
Living as the Body of Christ
I was talking to a strong believer who had stopped going to church and I asked him what it was that had changed for him. He thought about it for a while and came up with the things we usually hear: the infighting, the pettiness, the church games, etc., besides, he could worship God anywhere and he didn’t really see the purpose for the church. I love the body of Christ and consider it a privilege and joy to be a
God Will Never Forsake You
We are currently going through the letter of 2 Peter and in it Peter teaches us how to discern between false preachers and teaching. Additionally, he wants to remind us constantly of the Good News and for us to remember that God is true, reliable, and forever. Why do we need reminders? We need to be reminded of the Gospel daily, weekly, and monthly—every chance we get for our entire lives. And an important way to do that is to be in
Christ’s Authority to Heal
As Christians, we are personally aware of, and have heard accounts of, healing by supernatural means. This has always been a part of the Good News we experience and share with others. We celebrate the reality of this event in our churches in various ways—prayer meetings, healing services, and special worship times. Jesus tells us, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed…,” and when facing an addiction, chronic disability, or life-threatening illness, we often
Solus Christus, In Christ Alone
Solus Christus, “Christ Alone” for salvation is Christianity’s central scandal. How could anyone make such an exclusive claim and still be considered the foundation of love and justice? Well, let’s agree for argument’s sake that Jesus did make, or at least could have made, the claim that he is the only way to God. Does it still seem unfair to a world of multiplicity of religions? One way to approach this seemingly intolerant attitude is to ask what the logical alternatives would
The Church of Irresistible Influence
by Philipp Meinecke A city set on a hill. Visible even to the untrained eye. A lamp bringing light even into the darkest of rooms. A beautiful bride, made ready for her husband. A house in which even those far off find a home. Jesus used many compelling and vivid metaphors to describe the church and its intended influence on the world. Through the power and work of the Holy Spirit, the Early Church presented such a transformative force on its culture that even persecution
Should a Christian Even Go to Church at All?
This might sound like an odd question, particularly from a pastor who’s trying to grow a new church, but it was one I was asked: Where does a Christian go to worship and serve God in Starnberg, or even Munich? It’s not easy to find a church that fits with what we were raised with, our style, or our schedule. This is true. If we were to choose a church of a mainline denomination, we might not understand the language or we
