Selective grace in the church

Posted on May 22, 2013 Written by Mark McIntyre 24 Comments

We all want grace, but sometimes struggle to give it when it is most needed. We are in constant danger of offering selective grace by offering it to some and withholding it from others.

Entitlement and Thanksgiving

If I feel entitled, I complain about my job. If I am thankful, I am grateful to have a job. If feel entitled, I complain about the meal I’m eating. If I am thankful, I am grateful to have food on the table. If I feel entitled, I complain that the government does not do […]

Humble and Contrite?

I don’t think that we can place too much stress on Jesus’ statement about the responsibility for building the church. It is his; he claimed the responsibility and the resurrection proved that he has the power to do it. Maybe we should spending more time in prayer asking him how he wants us to participate in that building than we do in building our own strategies.

The law of unintended consequences

The church is to be intentional in her quest to make disciples. But a wrongheaded emphasis on short term gains might lead to an unintended consequence.

The responsibility of standing in the pulpit

As church leaders we must keep in mind whose is the responsibility to build the church. It is not the pastor’s responsibility. It is not the elders’ responsibility. It is not the preacher’s responsibility. It is Christ’s and Christ’s alone (Matthew 16:18).

How can we coexist?

This is the 20th post in the Sermon on the Mount Series. “Give peace a chance” “Coexist” You’ve probably seen bumper stickers with similar sentiments. The problem is that evil is a reality that must be dealt with. Some men (or women) will seek to dominate others through force or intimidation. Even a casual investigation into the […]

Don’t add or subtract

Moses warned the Israelites to not add or subtract from the commands of Scripture. We would do well to heed this warning. How does this apply to us in 2013?