Tag Archives: scripture

5 reasons pastors should read the whole bible each year

Posted on September 6, 2016 | Leave a comment

I began reading through the bible at least once every year for more than 25 years now and it has been a great blessing to my life and ministry. Let me suggest 5 reasons why all pastors and bible teachers would benefit from this spiritual discipline.
1. It helps us see the whole story. How does the OT and NT fit together? After 7 or 8 times through the bible you will begin to see that better. I visited my grandmother while in seminary. She was a Sunday School teacher and so she peppered me with questions wanting to better teach her class. I knew some things she didn’t know- Greek and Hebrew and such. But I quickly realized that she knew the bible in a way I didn’t yet because she read it so much. I determined to know the bible like that.
2. It gives us a sense of context. Taking the bible Continue reading →

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Buying what doesn’t satisfy

Posted on October 1, 2014 | 1 comment

I have a special love for Isaiah 55. It is a powerful chapter in the bible that speaks to our generation just as it did to the generation that first read its words.
When revival came to my life and church 20 years ago, this is the chapter I preached on for the next several Sunday evenings. A couple of those services last 4 hours and longer. Without complaint. Let the thought of those last two sentences sink in a moment.
God has Continue reading →

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Posted in Christianity, revival, Uncategorized

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Why I Trust the Bible

Posted on April 2, 2014 | Leave a comment

   I trust the bible.  I believe it to be true and correct and right.  I don’t strain out the concepts of inerrancy and infallibility.  Here are a few reasons why.

1.  I know the Author.  The bible makes a bold claim to be authored by God.  We can say the bible is authored by men under the supernatural guidance of God.  I believe that.  God used men, but He is the ultimate author.  And the closer I am to Him, the more I recognize His word.  I hear His voice as I read His word.  When my wife calls me I know it is her.  I know her voice.  (And, I have caller ID.)  The closer I am to God, the better I recognize His voice.

2.  It stands the test of scholarship. Continue reading →

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The Heart of the Matter

Posted on December 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

I have treasured Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.   Psalm 119:11

Your heart is critical…

…A friend of mine told me about preaching on the back of a flatbed truck next to Red Square in Moscow some years ago.  The communist government had just fallen and many people there were searching for meaning and purpose.  My friend was put on the back of the truck, given a microphone, and told to preach to the walking masses through a translator. Continue reading →

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Posted in books, Christianity, discipleship, faith, Uncategorized

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Small Groups or Bust! 3 Reasons Small Groups Matter in Church Life

Posted on September 10, 2013 | Leave a comment

   I make a big deal out of small groups (we call our Sunday School classes LIFE groups) at FBC O’Fallon, IL.  Why would I even care since I’m not preaching in those classes?  (Insert your own sermon joke punch line.)  Here are 3 important reasons why Christians should be in a small group in their church. 

1.  For Connection.  People are like legos- made for connection.  Small groups allow people to get connected on more personal levels.  You need that connection- even you computer nerds who are socially awkward!  And, more importantly, other people need you.  Small groups allow us to know each other’s names and favorite ice cream flavors.

2.  For Information.  I don’t let people ask questions during the sermon.  I probably wouldn’t know the answer anyway!  But discussions can happen in small groups.  We can sharpen each other and think together.  It is a great way to learn and study and grow.  Attend a small group bible study long enough and you will probably know much more about the bible than you do now.  And that is a good thing.

3.  For inspiration.  Okay, I can’t relate to the pastor.  He’s kind of weird anyway.  But I can sure relate to that guy in the class who is struggling to live out his faith in a hostile work environment.  I can relate to the lady who wants to shine the light of Christ in her life even though she has a suspicious spot on the x-ray.  Those people inspire me- and I hope I can inspire them! 

   I love small groups enough that Vickie and I are going to teach a LIFE group on Saturday nights for the 7 weeks  our church goes through the “Immersed: 40 Days to a Deeper Faith” study beginning this weekend- even though I already preach my sermon 4 times each weekend. 

   Small groups or bust!

 

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Posted in books, Christianity, Church, discipleship, faith, preaching, small groups, Sunday School, Uncategorized

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Why the Church Matters

Posted on August 2, 2013 | 3 comments

“I like Jesus, I just don’t like the church.”

Here is the problem with that thinking. Jesus is the One who formed the church. It is His idea and He is for it. And if Jesus founded the church, He did it for a reason.

Let me encourage you to get involved in a local church. It isn’t perfect and do you know why? Because it is filled with people like you. There are no perfect churches just as there are no perfect people. We connect with others in a church because we need each other, not because any of us are perfect.

Maybe you have had a bad experience with a church. Maybe you got your feelings hurt or you met some unkind people or it just didn’t work out. But don’t give up on finding a church family and connecting.

I’ve had the great privilege of being part of some fantastic churches. The church I’ve served as pastor for the past 18 years is phenomenal and I love those people dearly. But even if that hasn’t been your experience, there is a church and a place for you.

One suggestion about church. Don’t make it just about you. Don’t just think of what you can get from the church. Consider serving instead of just attending. Love others whether they return that love quickly or not. Don’t make it primarily about styles you like but about worshipping the God of the universe.

Connect with a church that teaches and lives the truth. Get active, get involved, be faithful.

If you do, you might change your thinking from “I like Jesus, but not the church” to “I like the church because I love Jesus.”

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Whatever Happened to Sunday School?

Posted on July 24, 2013 | 7 comments

I love Sunday School.  There, I said it out loud.

When I became a pastor 30 years ago (What? 30 years have gone by? But I am so young!)  the question was asked differently.  You know, the question we asked each other when we pastors got together-  “How was your attendance?”  We used to ask, 30 years ago, about how many were in Sunday School. 

30 years later, when we announce our attendance, we answer with our worship attendance.  There is nothing wrong, of course, with tracking our worship attendance.  It is worth noting, however, that Sunday School has been de-emphasized in many churches in this generation. 

I am an unashamed Sunday School junkie.  We emphasize Sunday School in our church-though we have jazzed up the name to “Life Groups”.  Never does a week go by that I don’t mention something about Life Groups.

Sunday School, or however small groups are done, is such a vital part of a healthy church.  I love worship.  It is exciting and important and great.  But let’s not lose sight of the importance of the personal, small group aspect of church life. It is a great place to learn and to experience life together.  Churches who emphasize small groups in addition to worship are the stronger for it.

The Christian life is best experienced together.  I encourage you to get in a Sunday School class or, if you attend FBC O’Fallon, IL, a Life Group. 

Sunday School is worth emphasizing again.

 

 

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