The world has other false stories it wants us living by, as does our flesh and the devil. But only God’s story is true. He sees things about ourselves and the world that we cannot see but desperately need to see; and he has written it down for the sake of our eternal joy in him. Therefore, O how much we should fill our souls with the written word of God! ...
What does the resurrection of Jesus mean? What makes it so significant for the world?...
The King and God of time and space, Who chose to grant to me His grace, Holds out His scepter - bids me stand Close to His heart, under His hand. He calls me friend, though well He knows My fickle heart will oft oppose......
The Lord’s word speaks pointedly to so many issues we face. Some months ago, our church studied Paul’s speech before the Areopagus in Acts 17:16-34. It took two Sundays, but we drew several inferences. One inference spoke directly to an issue that many, for varying reasons, have been thinking about afresh: racism. Acts 17 gives us at least four truths about all people that, when embraced rightly and applied comprehensively, kill racism....
Sunday morning the Houston Chronicle published the first in a series of articles investigating numerous sexual abuse cases in Southern Baptist contexts. The Chronicle’s report serves as a sobering reminder for all of us to ensure the best care for our children. Here are several principles that guide Redeemer Church when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable in our midst....
Of all the thanksgiving words and concepts in the New Testament, over seventy-five percent appear in Paul’s letters alone. Here are seven observations about thanksgiving from Paul's letters....
How does Paul's theology of thanksgiving confront false notions of thanksgiving in our culture?...
What is the biblical rationale for church membership? ...
For Paul, the attitudes and perspectives of “the world” which needed to be crucified were his boasting in his Jewish pedigree and works of law-righteousness. For others, it may be a commitment to one’s career, or even to one’s own family. And for some, like myself, it can be a preoccupation with Christian ministry...
Pornography is one expression of sexual immorality inundating our culture.[i] Grievously, it’s far too common in the church as well. Covenant Eyes reports that “64% of Christian men and 15% of Christian women say they watch porn at least once a month.”[ii] Such statistics hardly represent the biblical imperative: “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints” (Eph 5:3). Are you among the 64% or the 15%? By God’s grace, you don’t have to be. Are others you know among them? By God’s grace, you can help them not to be. Contrary to popular resolve, Christians can say No to pornography and to any other sexual temptation....
Pornography is one expression of sexual immorality inundating our culture.[i] Grievously, it’s far too common in the church as well. Covenant Eyes reports that “64% of Christian men and 15% of Christian women say they watch porn at least once a month.”[ii] Such statistics hardly represent the biblical imperative: “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness ...
Keep ReadingThe following reasons remain part of my own arsenal in the fight against lust and sexual immorality. I share them to equip you in the same fight. Part two will come soon, where I develop eight ways to fight sexual temptation. Until then please consider these seriously, especially those of you who may be looking at and thinking about porn. Some of my comments are geared tow...
Keep ReadingAt our 13th anniversary church picnic we asked members, new and old, the following question: how has your participation in the community of Redeemer Church been a blessing to you?...
Keep ReadingJames 2 has challenged the church for centuries. Based on Paul’s teaching in Romans 3:28, Reformed Protestants have confessed that justification is by faith alone apart from works. Yet James asserts that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone (Jas 2:24). So the question becomes, “Does James contradict Paul?” Since the Holy Spirit inspired both James an...
Keep ReadingA poem written by Tyrone Benson for Redeemer Church's 13th Anniversary Together...
Keep ReadingWhat is family worship and how does one go about it? Several years ago, a brother in our congregation asked me this question. Here was my response....
Keep ReadingVision in the local church is what the Bible tells us God wants for us, in us, and through us to the praise of his glory in Jesus Christ. Based on the observations below, it is our conviction that an important part of the Bible’s vision for local churches is for them to plant more local churches, where new disciples can manifest God’s kingdom on earth and submit to one...
Keep ReadingWe live in a world that devalues and oppresses children. In the Bible, it was a Pharaoh or a Herod killing babies to protect their throne. It was nations sacrificing their children to false gods...We still see it in things like abortion, abuse, and neglect. The birth-control industry suggests children are a burden more than a blessing. Similar attitudes characterize people...
Keep ReadingWhat is the church? While certainly not exhaustive, here's a brief portrait of the church based on numerous texts from Scripture....
Keep ReadingThe gospel of Jesus Christ motivates our giving. Giving is motivated not by looking at another ‘law’ for a minimum amount I’m constrained or required to give, but by looking at Jesus’ person and work for the maximum amount I’m freed to give. When we look at the gospel, we find at least four principles that guide our giving....
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