Archives For Christian

In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus diagnosed Christians in Laodicea as “lukewarm.” In light of the call of 2 Corinthians 13:5, our question is a practical one: what does lukewarm Christianity look like? Why is it dangerous? And if I’m struggling with a lukewarm mindset, how can I rise above it?

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We recently noted that Titus 2:11-14 draws a Scriptural connection between the grace of God and the zeal God wants to see in his people.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Zeal is defined as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.” In the Bible, zeal (zelos) is presented as a burning desire to please and glorify God.

The question brought up by this sermon is a very practical one: HOW? How do we build and maintain a spiritual fire for the Lord?

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Last week at Laurel Canyon, Don Wright presented a special series of lessons on Overcoming Adversity. Resources from each sermon are available below.

PART 1 – Understanding Why

PART 2 – Anchors for the Storms of Life

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  • CHEAP eBook Deal of the Day: Closing the Window: Steps to Living Porn Free (Tim Chester) – $2.99 (80% off).
  • Doy Moyer writes, “Repentance and confession are fundamental to the Christian’s relationship to God. These are not merely one time ‘steps’ in a plan of salvation, but are necessary components in an ongoing fellowship in which God’s grace grants forgiveness and hope.”
  • Dene Ward asserts, “It’s time we older Christians stopped endorsing fairy tales. It’s time we told it like it is. Life can be hard and it doesn’t necessarily mean you are at fault. Even when you are at fault, it doesn’t mean you are worse than anyone else, no matter what image others try to present.”
  • The Scriptures have a good deal to say about the danger of idolatry. “But,” Gary Henry asks, “is it really the practical problem today that it was in ancient times?”
  • Clay Gentry suggests, “If those of old had not received their commendation based on their faith (Heb 11:2), then Hebrews 11 would have read very differently. Rather than being the Hall-of-Fame of Faith, it would be the Hall-of-Shame of the Faithless.”
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Our culture and its dialogue are absolutely immersed in two enormous lies.

  1. If you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must either hate them, fear them, or be intolerantly and irrationally prejudiced against them.
  2. If you love someone, you must agree with or silently tolerate everything they believe and do.

These are lies that disciples of Christ simply cannot afford to believe. Why?

  1. These lies fail to acknowledge the objective standard given by our Creator.
  2. These lies elevate our definition of happiness above God’s prescription for holiness.
  3. These lies distort the nature of God’s written revelation to mankind.

This sermon seeks to hold these increasingly common lies under the microscope of divine revelation.

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My Modern Met gives us an idea how the night sky would look if the planets were as close as the moon.

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Are you subscribed to Pressing On, an e-magazine for growing Christians? If not, you’re missing out on a valuable new resource. In its second year of publication, Pressing On is edited by Mark Roberts and published at the beginning of every month. Each issue features regular contributions from:

  • Wilson Adams: Be Strong and Courageous, with focus on encouragement
  • Dee Bowman: Be Wise Small, a combination of common sense and Scripture
  • Chuck Durham: Now and Then, connecting history and God’s Word
  • Warren Berkley: Truth Connections, making truth stand out
  • Mark Roberts: On the Mark, bringing the Bible to bear on contemporary issues

In addition to the regular columnists, each issue features a handful of writers focusing on a relevant theme for growing Christians. March’s theme was Heaven. This month’s theme is Depression, Despair, and the Christian. Articles include:

  • Dealing with Despair in the Psalms — by Rusty Miller
  • The Christian and Psychiatric Medication — Mark McCrary
  • The Christian’s War Against Depression — Paul Earnhart
  • By Faith You Can Complete the Race of Faith — Clay Gentry

One of the revolutionary features of e-publishing is the built-in ability to respond with Biblical perspective much more quickly to current events than paper publications. A prime example of that fact is a special edition of Pressing On, released just this afternoon, dealing with the Boston Marathon bombing and how disciples of Christ should react to tragedy, violence, and evil in our world. All five regular columnists worked quickly to produce a relevant resource to help Christians think through these tragic events. This special issue was made available to all subscribers free of charge.

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