Our church has been working through the book of Ezekiel the last few weeks together. If you are not familiar with this amazing book of prophecy, I encourage you to take a couple of weeks and read through it. Chapter 5 ends with these words: 13 “Thus shall my anger spend itself, and I will …
The Christmas story is simply the best story ever told and this for many reasons. First, it was written when the fullness of time had finally come round, and all the very best stories of humankind that had been told and retold throughout the ages found their fulfillment in it. Then too, it was told …
The following post is Pastor Josh’s sermon manuscript from August, 16th, 2020. The text he preached from was Matthew 15:1-20 which is copied below (out of the ESV). Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered …
Sometimes I hear God speak in parables to me, not in words but in the things that surround me. Recently I had one of those moments as I was mowing my lawn. You see, I have one of those “typical” Vermont lawns that are a mix of four varieties of actual grass (none of which …
Did Jesus’ disciples claim that he rose from the dead? If they did, were they sincere in this proclamation? This area is something else that many critics of the resurrection of Jesus often attack and it is an area I will address in this post. Do we have reasons to think that the disciples claimed …
Every once in a while, someone gives you the great gift of feedback – thoughtful, constructive, and timely. It happened this week when a friend said, “You don’t preach the gospel.” Most of the feedback I get on sermons is…well…silence. Most who listen to my sermons don’t say anything at all. I learned a long time ago …
Eventually a growing disciple realizes that not only does Christ call His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23), but he also calls them to live sacrificially. The self-life must die and Christ must live. Christ Himself was a sacrifice for us. Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, …
Fruit of Following God #13: Sacrificial Living for Christ Read More »
When the gospels and Acts are seen as eyewitness testimony, they gain a lot of credibility in the eyes of nonbelievers which makes it all the more easier for us as followers of Christ to tell them about Jesus and the offer of salvation by placing their trust in him. In my last post, I’ve …
Imagine working outside trimming the bushes in your front yard on a hot sunny day. After much trimming you enter your house so you can get an ice cold glass of water. You enter the kitchen where you find the cookie jar shattered on the floor with the cookies scattered everywhere. You call your six-year-old …
