“A voice of one calling in the desert,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’” –Luke 3:5-6Every Advent, somehow, these words are read. These are the words John the Baptist was proclaiming in the … Read More
Salvation through Forgiveness
“…to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins…” –Luke 1:77You can’t get past it. Forgiveness of sins is the salvation that Jesus brings.He doesn’t come to just to model morality or love. He doesn’t come merely to offer peace or platitudes, but he is interested in saving people who have offended him.The hope found in … Read More
White as Snow–Advent 2012 Theme
“‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red as crimson, They shall be like wool.’” –Isaiah 1:18 This seminal promise of the Christmas season brings one great theme of the Advent to the fore: God’s grace gives in a way that … Read More
Grand Distractions
The beautiful picture of this volcanic eruption is an image that might be instructive to us about the grand distractions that have entered our society through the political process. Recently, in presidential politics and the statements of one of the owners of Chick-Fil-A who made public statements about his beliefs that he stated he upheld traditional views of marriage. This … Read More
MiracleWorker: OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2012 SERIES
Nothing else like the stories of what Jesus did kindles and rekindles the flame of faith in my own life! During October and November, we’ll be visiting these 2000 year-old stories again and finding fresh application for ourselves in the 21st Century! Below you’ll see what days we’ll be focusing on what stories so you can read ahead. Be sure … Read More
How a Christian Approaches Conflict and Confrontation
You see the two people walking in the lower right-hand corner of this beautiful photo of the San Diego coast? They are a picture of how Jesus tells us how to approach conflict and confrontation.Let’s look at a couple of key passages on the subject. The first is found in Matthew 18:15-17–“If your brother sins against you, go and show him … Read More
Prophet, Priest, or King?
This month, I’ll be adding a number of posts on leadership, in keeping with the theme “Under the Influence” that I’m speaking on at Lafayette First Assembly this month. I don’t know who started talking this way first, but one helpful way to think about leading in the church is by looking through the lens of the tri-fold office of … Read More
The Real Thing–Sunday Series April 2012
Over the next two Sundays, we’ll be reflecting on the success of Coca-Cola to spread it’s product around the world to put its name in front of every pair of eyes, every day, everywhere and the command Jesus Christ has given the church to spread the Gospel to the whole world. How can it be that this delicious, brown, carbonated … Read More
Seven Cities: Lent Message Series
Lent is a word for Spring, but it’s come to refer to a roughly six-week season in the Christian calendar where many Christians take a fast or go on a special plan of reading and praying to prepare for Easter. It starts with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter roughly 40 days later. We’re not observing Lent at First Assembly, … Read More
6 Days into the Wilderness
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. –Mark 1:13-14 I’ve been fasting and praying now for six days. I’ve kind of moved past all the physical pain and temptation that accompanied the beginning of the fast–hunger pains, … Read More