Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering. Philippians 1.17 Sunday prep forges faith and truth into an offering we hope will please God and encourage the saints. That’s accurate as far as it goes, but our aspirations are fired into the kiln, too and part of us wants to impress […]
“…but in person he is weak and his speech is unimpressive. (2 Corinthians 10.10).” Was Paul really a beta-preacher? Or, do haters just hate? At the very least the latter is at play. Paul had some enemies. But I am willing to bet that Paul was no Charles Spurgeon. In fact, I’d guess that the […]
“A dispute also arose among them.” Luke 22.24 Biblical ideals make good vision casting, but harsh taskmasters. That’s especially true when we have dreams of koinonia that owe more to Rivendell than the New Testament. For all his love and wisdom Jesus never knew the kind of missional, theological, and temperamental synchronicity with his disciples […]
Fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4.5 Last night my church celebrated 50 years of pastoral ministry. I’m not that old, but between David Richmon, Luke Morton, and myself we’ve logged over half of a century serving our congregation. This was written before the party, so we don’t know what they’ll do, other than have some […]
I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. 2 Timothy 1.11 You’re no apostle, but two out of three is enough to put you in harm’s way because according to Paul, ministry causes suffering. At the very least it explains it. Paul should know. His ministry […]
May your silver perish with you. Acts 8.20 Peter said that in public to Simon, who came to faith after a life in the dark arts. Of course, offering money for the Holy Spirit is very bad, but don’t forget he was just a toddler Christian. And even if he were a seasoned disciple, Peter’s rebuke would never be allowed […]
…when reviled, we bless. 1 Corinthians 4.12 Spiritual abuse is trending. More accurately, calling out spiritually abusive pastors is trending. Good. Wolves in sheep’s clothing need to answer to Jesus and his people. David’s treatment of Bathsheba and Uriah, Ezekiel’s prosecution of false shepherds, and many other stern warnings should sober selfish shepherds. But the […]
