Luther on trouble in the Church

Posted on August 20, 2014 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

12s Ministers of the Word, therefore, if they would be counted faithful and prudent on the Day of Christ, out to be very sure that St. Paul did not speak empty words or prophesy of a thing of nought, when he said: “There […]

Is it really good news?

The word gospel literally means “good news.” In Greek, the word is euanggelion from which we derive our English words, evangelical and evangelism. So, an evangelical church is one that preaches the Gospel or good news of Jesus Christ. The question that strikes me this morning is, “are we really offering good news?” I have […]

A checklist for the church

In loing at all of these questions, I realize that there is a gap between my behavior and my belief. I believe in God’s , I know that I am forgiven, I know that God is in control and I know that I have received and am to give grace. Yet, I do not always live according to that knowledge.

Is teaching the greatest gift in the church?

It is clear from the Bible that we should not be out of balance in spiritual gifts. But is it possible to be out of balance about teaching? I think it is.

By the book – A Quote from Henry Halley

Israel had a Bo. It was only a fraction of what we now have in God’s Word, but oh how important! God’s solemn warning to Joshua, standing at the threshold of a gigantic task, was to be very careful to keep close to the words of that Bo. Joshua listened and obeyed, and God honored […]

Conformity versus unity in the church

I have observed that in some cases when a pastor or church leader speaks about unity that what they mean is conformity. There is a big difference. Unity is motivated from the inside out, conformity is enforced from the outside.

Muddy Waters, Mercy and the Fifth Beatitude

The fifth Beatitude tells us that those who are merciful will receive mercy. At first reading this sounds right to us. If you do good to others they will do good to you. It seem natural, like the popular concept of karma. Yet we see that this does not always hold true. How then should we understand this Beatitude?