Sanctity of Life Stories
Sunday, January 23, was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, a day we set apart to remember God’s view that every single human life is precious. Many of you know that pregnancy centers exist, but do you know what happens when a scared young woman walks through the doors thinking that abortion is the only thing that will solve her “problem”? Let me share with you the stories of two women, Christiana* and LaTishia* who represent thousands who come to pregnancy centers each year. (*not their real names) Christiana is in her early 30’s with five other children. This pregnancy is not
Parable of an Unhealthy Soul
Why ‘Faith’ Dies Without Action How do works of obedience relate to the free, unmerited gift of God’s grace in the life of a Christian? This has been a recurring controversial and confusing issue since the earliest days of the church. If we are justified by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ’s sufficient substitutionary work alone, and not by any work of ours (Romans 3:8), then why are we warned and instructed to “strive . . . for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)? If our works don’t save us, then how can our not working (like not striving for
Resources on Elders and Titus
Sunday’s sermon I promised to post a fuller discussion on elder qualifications. Here is a helpful one from the folks at Bible.org. Instruction Concerning Elders in the Church And here are some other free online resources for you to consult as we study the book of Titus together: The Bible Project background material is excellent as always! bibleproject.com/explore/video/titus/ And here is a free online commentary by Danny Akin (the same as his commentary in the Christ-centered Exposition series, it appears) www.danielakin.com/category/chapel-messages/titus-series/page/2/ Here is a helpful sermon series by David Mathis and John Piper www.desiringgod.org/scripture/titus/messages And here is another online commentary that
Encouraging Our Elders
This past week our family, like many of yours, have had Covid spread through our home. From our youngest, James (9), to Jerry (well, I won’t tell y’all his age), we have all been hit with illness. To say it has taken its toll is an understatement. We have been confined; we have been moody; we have physically ached; and we have certainly felt the brokenness of our bodies. My mind is even hard pressed to write a well thought out Meditation For Preparation. So I am going to leave you with just a few thoughts and a prayer from
The Most Precious Commodity in the Universe
Read: Titus 1:1-4 Let's begin this week's mediation with a riddle borrowed from J.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. This thing all things devours; Birds, beasts, trees, flowers; Gnaws iron, bites steel; Grinds hard stones to meal; Slays king, ruins town, And beats mountain down. The answer is also related to what is at the heart of the introduction of Paul's letter to Titus. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never
Treasuring Church
The Next Step To Creating Harmony Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in
Slowing Down to Hear the Truth of God’s Word
As I sit here pondering what to write for this week's meditation for preparation, I must confess my mind is going in a million different directions. I’m thinking about groceries, presents, and work (because that is where I am currently located). I am thinking about our upcoming trip to Georgia and all the tasks that need to be done to get our family of five into the car and down the road. I am thinking about how our cat loves to climb into the pile of presents just so he can be under the tree and wondering how many presents
Celebrating Advent
In the Episcopal church of my childhood, there were no Christmas carols until Christmas Day. Corporate prayers during Advent reminded us that we were “sorely hindered by our sins.” The Book of Common Prayer suggests Mark 13:35-36 be read at the beginning of the service: “Watch ye, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” This was a solemn warning for people distracted by parties and Santa Clause. At least in church, Advent was a more somber time; we
Christmas Through the Eyes of An Adult
Read: Jeremiah 33:14-16 I have heard it said that Christmas is more for children than adults. In fact, the plea to see Christmas through the eyes of a child is echoed in advertisements, modern Christmas songs, and small wooden Christmas decorations put upon fireplace mantles. Some might argue that their own personal love for Christmas resembles a "child-like" joy with overwhelming enthusiasm and spontaneous verbal explosions of excitement. (I acknowledge the validity to such claims) However, my zeal and love for this season has not diminished as I have grown older; instead, it has increased. I do not attribute this increase to reverting back to a youthful
Advent is the Arrival of God the Shepherd
At North Wake, we're studying "Advent BC" -- Old Testament predictions of the coming Messiah. In our sermon Sunday, we will be looking in Ezekiel at one such prediction of a Shepherd. But here, I want to look at another time God taught His people through the prophet Isaiah. Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,and His arm rules for Him;behold, His reward is with Him,and His recompense before Him. (Isaiah 40:10) We read, “God comes with might” because He is a victorious warrior. “His arm” (His military might) proves He is powerful over His enemy in this battle. This shock and awe is intended to make the world alert to the fact that He has power, and He will use it. I grew up near a
