Last week we talked about how, the lives we live should be an introduction for the gospel.

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV)
Beloved, I urge you as [those who’s home is not here] sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God [when he comes to visit them] on the day of visitation. Another way of saying this is, “Live a uniquely God-saturated life in front of those around you so that when the time for salvation arrives, they won’t miss it. Read the rest of this entry »

Second Timothy is a wonderful book that was probably written near the end of Paul’s life. As a result, it has deep and beautiful thoughts about what it means to live for Christ. In verse 1 Paul encourages Timothy to be firmly dependent on the kindness of Jesus, be full and resolute in your dependence on Jesus (be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus). This is the opposite of how the world would program us, right? Independence, self-sufficiency, dedication to the pursuit of pleasure, comfort and financial security first. Not so as we align with Jesus. Timothy’s call was to be dependent on God as he pursued disciple-making. Read the rest of this entry »

Hebrews 13:11-14, “going to Jesus outside the camp” [no audio]

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I’d like to connect with this issue through Hebrews 13:11-14 Read the rest of this entry »

Matthew 5:10-12, “standing for Jesus in the face of persecution “ [Listen] Read the rest of this entry »