sin

Take Sin Seriously

Mark 9:42-50

The reality and evil of sin are often lost on our modern culture that focuses on pain and therapy instead of sin and redemption. Sin is a problem because God is holy. 

TBQ: Why is sin such a big deal?

Reverse Engineering Our Sin

Reverse engineering. It is the process of creating a device after observing an the original and ascertaining its technical specifications.  Of course, it is not only a “thing” that can be reverse-engineered, this process can take place in behaviors and relationships as well.  People who want to lose weight will often hang an old picture …

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4 For the Road

Culture Creep.  Tim Challies linked to this and I had to as well. This is a sickening look at the way that paedophilia is creeping into the mainstream. Take Your Kids With You.  Travis Agnew shares an important parenting tip.  When you go somewhere, take your kids with you…even if it isn’t easy. Most Unmarried …

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Don’t Pray About That

Yesterday I wrote about how prayer is sometimes not enough.  If you thought I was a heretic then, you will certainly be disappointed to hear a pastor say that some things in this world should not be prayed about.  By saying that, I’m not suggesting as some have done that some things are too small …

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God, the McDonalds You Gave Me Made Me Do It

The government seems to have declared war on fast food, large drinks, candy bars, and of course, the greatest perpetrator of them all…high fructose corn syrup (Frustratingly, no one is declaring an all out war on durian except me.  See picture on left.).  Of course, this is not really a war on food, its a …

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When the Gospel Doesn’t Transform…

Most of you who read this know that I am a pastor. I love being a pastor, it is my passion and I know that I am fulfilling the calling God has placed on my life. In short, I truly did “surrender” (to use that appropriate but rarely used old term) to God’s call and …

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Lessons I Am Learning

In the conclusion of his biography of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin entitled, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy, John Piper offers four lessons that we can learn from the lives of flawed saints who have gone on before us.  Below they are listed along with some Scripture passages to reflect on.  Pastors, as inadequate as you …

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A Heightened Responsibility

“As we mature personally, as our families mature, and as our churches mature, we need the doctrine of sin more, not less; and we need to keep growing in rightly understanding and applying this doctrine.  Be assured that this is no less true if you’re a pastor or teacher or ministry worker.  There’s no pastoral …

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Keep Watch

“Satan does not take innocent people captive.  There are no innocent people.  Satan has the power where sinful passions hold sway.  Judas was a lover of money, and he covered it up with a phony, external relationship with Jesus.  And then he sold him for thirty pieces of silver.  How many of his ilk are …

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Preaching on Sin

Preachers who are faithful ministers of the gospel present the whole glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. That means that we must speak clearly about the reality of the ugliness and penalty of sin, from the pulpits that have been entrusted to us. One of my favorite professors in seminary, Dr. Chad Brand (who also serves …

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