Category Archives: Gospel-centered

Unfortunate debate over Romans 9-11

I wrote this because of the temptation to focus so much on debated doctrines in Romans 9-11 that we miss the need to humbly worship the God who is revealed so amazingly in these chapters. 

I also see an urgency to place the chapters in the larger context of… Continue reading

Posted in attitudes of unity, Book of Romans, Church, Church Leadership, Church membership, Community, Doctrine of election, elders in the Church, Elect, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Local Church, Reformed Theology, Romans, Salvation, Unity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What is the gospel?

Gospel-centered living happens when three tenses are continuously kept in view… Continue reading

Posted in Christian life, Christian worldview, Christianity, Following Christ, Gospel, Gospel-centered, In Christ, Jesus Christ, Salvation, True Christianity? | Tagged | Leave a comment

An unnerving but amazing truth

This should make those who strive to be religious more than a little nervous. It should warn those who are working their way “up” the structured ranks of religion Continue reading

Posted in Eternal security, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Heaven, Human depravity, Human dignity, Humility, Salvation, Security of salvation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Peter’s Sin and Redemption

He’s not ashamed of us or our sin because he died for our sin. And if Jesus was ashamed of his people who sin, he wouldn’t have any people—for we all sin. Continue reading

Posted in Elders, elders in the Church, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Life of a pastor, Pastors, Salvation, Security of salvation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

 Jesus is the gospel

The message of the gospel narratives and the teaching of Jesus leads us to see that Jesus is the summation of all of God’s revelation. Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, Gospel-centered, Jesus Christ, Old Testament Law, Prophecy, Teaching of Jesus, Theology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

An unnerving truth about heaven

Many of us want to say, “Only those who accept Jesus as Savior go to heaven.” Or, “Only those who believe in the gospel go to heaven.” These are not necessarily wrong statements, but they possibly conceal what Jesus revealed. Continue reading

Posted in Disciple-making, Discipleship, Fruit of the Spirit, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Humility, Poor in spirit, Pride, Salvation, Security of salvation, Spirit filled, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Walking with God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A great covenant for family and Church

Use this relationship covenant in your family, small group, or Church. Continue reading

Posted in attitudes of unity, Community, Elders, elders in the Church, Fellowship, Flesh vs. Spirit, Fruit of the Spirit, Gospel-centered, Holy Spirit, Local Church, Relationships, Spirit filled, Unity | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s not the way you think it is

Delusional self-confidence based on self-accomplishment is not far removed from self-righteousness. It’s an insidiously deadly poison that can be… Continue reading

Posted in Attitude, Blessed by God, Christian worldview, Christianity, Church, Church Leadership, Church membership, Deception, Following Christ, God's Heart, God's Love, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Greatness, Jesus Christ, Judging others, Kingdom, Legalism, Love, Meaning of life, Mercy, Missions, Personal thoughts, Poor in spirit, Pride, purpose, Radical love, Repentance, Self esteem, Self love, Self-deception, Selfishness, Spiritual inventory, Teaching of Jesus, True Christianity?, Walking with God, Worldview | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Meet the citizens of heaven

It might surprise some to meet the true citizens of heaven. Many religious leaders “shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces” (Matthew 23:13). Jesus said of them,  “You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. ….You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are” (Matthew 23:14-15). Jesus said to these religious leaders, “religious leaders “shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces” (Matthew 23:13). Jesus said,  “You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. …Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31). Continue reading

Posted in Afraid to die, Afterlife, Assurance, Atheism, Atheists, Belief, Blessed by God, Born again?, Christian worldview, Christianity, Cliches, Comfort, Cross of Christ, Cross of Jesus, Crucifixion, Death of Christ, Depravity, Disciple-making, Elentics, Eternal life, Eternal security, Evangelism, Faith, Fear of death, God's Heart, God's Love, Godly sorrow, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Grace, Greatness, Heaven, Human depravity, Humility, Jesus Christ, Justification, Legalism, Main problem, Matthew 7:1-6, Meekness, New Creation, Pharisees, Poor in spirit, Proud, Reconciliation, Regeneration, Religion, Religion-not the answer, Repentance, Salvation, Searching, Security of salvation, Seeker Services, Seeking God, Selfishness, Sin, Spiritual inventory, Teaching of Jesus, The cross of Christ, Unbelief, Walking with God, Witness, Worldly sorrow | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

7 resources for spiritual maturity

Spiritual growth requires looking ahead and looking back. Continue reading

Posted in Change, Character, Christian life, Church growth, Counseling, Following Christ, Gospel-centered, Grace, Holy Spirit, Hope?, Image of God, Judgment seat of Christ, Mission statement, New Christian, New Creation, Parenting, Pastors, Personal devotions, Purity, Quiet Time, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Spirit filled, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Trials, Victory, Walking with God, Will of God | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment