The Basics 7b – The Church’s Celebration
As we dive deeper into the church, it is incumbent to recognize and, at least for a moment, set aside the traditions we and others hold dear. Not to throw…
Category: The Basics
The Basics 7c – The Fellowship of Church
Growth in the early church was not an accident. All the members were intentionally and persistently perusing these things. This was not like a five-minute daily devotion but a consuming…
The Basics 7d – The Diverse Unity of the Church
There is an inherent tension in the church between unity and uniqueness. This tension reveals the church’s greatest strengths and its greatest challenges. We’ll explore both in turn before examining…
The Basics 7e – The Equipping Church
One of my grandfathers was an auto mechanic. For a while, he ran his own garage in Goodfield. Then, he went to work at a larger business in Eureka and…
The Basics 5a – Salvation is Necessary
Saved and salvation are “church words” that find their meaning in the Bible. What does it mean to be saved? Why does anyone need saving? What are we being saved…
Jesus is Pivotal
While we recognize the eternal aspects of Jesus, God the Son, we must also recognize the historical nature of Jesus – the Son of Man. The Gospel of John reports,…
Jesus is Returning
Much ink and angst have been spilled concerning Christ’s second coming. The when, how, who, and where have been pondered, discussed, and argued over for two thousand years. To be…
Jesus is the King of Kings
People approach Jesus in many different ways. Some see Him as a good teacher, an influential figure, or an ancient myth. Other’s approach him as the babe in the manger.…
Salvation is in Christ
In practically all other religions of the world acts, duties, and sacrifices are offered to garner favor with a higher power. This appeasement brings us to another church word related…
Salvation is Free
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. We may not pay for it, but someone does. The same is true for everything politicians offer to get votes. Free education,…
Salvation is Complete
Let’s make no mistake, the salvation we receive is complete at that moment of acceptance. There is nothing more we need to do. It is finished. As Paul reminds us,…
The Holy Spirit Convicts
Sometimes there are moments in life when two unassociated events coincidentally collide. Call them serendipity or call the God-incidences, either of which recognizes a spark of unique timing. The first…