Category Archives: General

Today is the 508^th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, where Martin Luther published his Ninety-Five Theses (proposition for debate), and posted it on the front door of the church at Wittenburg – October 31, 1517. It was the goal of Luther, John Calvin, and the reformers to “reform” the Roman Catholic Church by reconnecting Christianity to the original message of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel . . . summarized in the 5 “Solas” (Latin phrases or slogans) that emerged out of the Reformation:

1. Sola Scripture – Scripture alone
2. Sola Fide – Faith alone
3. Sola Gratia – Grace alone
4. Solus Christus – Christ alone
5. Soli Deo Gloria – To the glory of God alone

Now, 508 years later, Luther’s Legacy under the Lordship of Jesus Christ is large- between 800 million – 1.17 billion Protestants world-wide, which accounts for more than a third of the world’s professing Christians.   

Today I thought I would provide some current data from a new Pew Research Survey that clearly demonstrates how American Protestants are distancing themselves from the basic biblical beliefs that brought on the Reformation, or at the very least, misunderstand what those beliefs actually are.

Of all the American Protestants . . .

• 52% believe faith and works are needed to get into heaven
• 52% believe church teaching and traditions are also needed
• Only 46% believe faith alone in Jesus is required for salvation (sola fide)
• Only 46% believe that the Scriptures are sufficient for faith and practice

How far we have fallen in a little over 500 years. Over half of all professing Christians in America believe that faith in Jesus and their good works (church attendance, acts of mercy and service, giving, etc.) are necessary for eternal life. Jesus alone is not enough for salvation. And over half of all professing Christians in America believe the Bible and the teachings and traditions of man are necessary for living a Christian life that is pleasing and acceptable to God. So, how did the wheels come off the “Truth Track” that has brought us to this sad station? To be sure, there are many factors including our sinful nature, universalism, increasing desire for things below rather than above, and spiritual sluggishness. But I am convinced that the pulpit plays the greater role.

When we find it more important to preach messages from the pulpit that meet people at the level of “felt needs” rather than “true needs,” we have begun our return to the Dark Ages. The whole counsel of God is the “Light” that is needed in this dark and depraved world, not “gospel-lite” messages. When we fail to preach from our pulpits the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, we allow the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil to seep in. It is no surprise to see survey results like these in a cultural “church” context that sees the average professing Christian attending church one time a month, abandoning any thoughts of Sunday School Bible studies which would add another hour at church, and little or no time for family devotion and personal Bible Study.

And what starts as an infection that is barely visible, winds up an insidious disease emptying out our churches. Why? Because motivational messages, inspirational insights, and secular stories will not hold up when the storm winds begin to blow and the waves of challenge come crashing down on you. Know this – there are only three stages in life on this side of the grave . . .

Stage #1. In a storm!

Stage #2. Heading out of a storm!

Stage #3. Heading back into a storm!

So, what is the way forward? As a pastor, I believe it is reclaiming the pulpit for its intended purpose – preaching the wisdom of the Word of God . . . not the wisdom of the world. When we preach messages that are designed to tickle ears, meet felt needs, and fill seats, we forsake souls and God will hold those in this privileged position accountable for their preaching. So, on the 508^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, it is my prayer that every pulpit will proclaim the Scripture’s alone, preaching salvation by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.             

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

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)

Picture a pencil with the attached eraser on the end. Perhaps the #2 pencil you had to bring to school for all of those standardized tests you had to take. Got it? Now picture this: you are the pencil, Jesus is the Eraser, and God is the hand that holds and writes. 

Now a pencil can do nothing on its own. Someone must pick it up in their hand and begin to write with it and that is exactly what God has been doing in your life since the day you placed your trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. But even in the hand of God, at times, you will have a tendency to want to write some of your story yourself. When you do, mistakes will happen along the way. You will say some things you will wish you had not said.  You will do some things you will wish you had not done. You will think some things you will wish you had not thought.  And every time this happens, Jesus, your Eternal Eraser is right there to erase the mess as if it had never happened. 

Here are a few things to remember as you go through the unfolding story of your life. The part of you that will leave your mark on this world for the glory of the One who holds you in His hand is on the inside of you. Every time God writes with you, more of who you truly are inside will come out. And, of course, from time to time, the hand that writes with you will need to sharpen you along the way with difficulties, obstacles, problems, and challenges. Oh, I know that will be painful, but you will be a much more useful pencil because of God’s sharpening.    

One final point. Each time you are sharpened, something really neat happens. You will shrink a bit and become a little bit smaller. But that’s a good thing. Because as you decrease, those around you who are watching your story being written, will see more and more of the hand of God that is holding you and less and less of you. In other words, this is a picture of what John the Baptist said when he said, “I must decrease and He must increase” (John 3:30).    

So, how is your life story going? Who is doing the writing, you or God? Remember, the more God writes, the better your story becomes. But in those moments when you do a little writing on your own and mess things up, Jesus, your Eternal Eraser will be right there with you erasing the mess as if it had never happened.       

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)

Far too many in the church today are confused about the person God uses to expand the cause of His kingdom. Satan, the accuser, is in the business of convincing Christians that they are disqualified from serving God, by any means necessary. He will call our attention to our loose language, tainted thoughts, disgraceful deeds, and despicable desires. And when he has done his work, many believers believe they are no use to God. NONESENSE! 

God is looking for our SELFLESSNESS not our SINLESSNESS. God knows that even after our conversion to Christ, we are still sinners by nature and by habit. To be sure, we are new creations in Christ, having been brought into the life-long process of growing up into Christ.  The same grace that saves us also sanctifies us. But sin will shadow our steps all the way into glory. What God is looking for is those who will be selfless even in their sinfulness. And we all can point to countless stories in sacred Scripture to show this truth. Here are just two of them.     

But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written. Exodus 32:32

For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people. Romans 9:3

In his sold-out selflessness, Moses was ready and willing that God would blot him out of the book of life for the sake of his people Israel.  In his sold-out selflessness, the apostle Paul was ready and willing that God would curse him for the sake of his people Israel. Together, the selflessness of both Moses and Paul is as shocking as it is supernatural. This could never be done in the flesh. Only in God’s strength could these two giants of the faith be willing to give completely of themselves for the good of others. Both men knew that God was not looking for their sinlessness, but rather, their selflessness. And that is exactly what God is looking for from you!

So, regardless of where this finds you today, regardless of your past record of falling short of God’s will in your life, are you ready and willing that God would use you for His glory and the good of others? Remember, selflessness can only be done in God’s strength. By nature, even in our new nature, we are still way too sinful and self-absorbed. But when we shift our focus away from the self and put it on our Savior, selflessness grows in our lives and we begin being the blessing in the lives of others God has called us to be. Remember, SELFLESSNESS not SINLESSNESS is what God is looking for from you.   

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, but he shall triumph at last. (Genesis 49:19 – NKJV)

Perhaps you are familiar with the phrase, “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” The meaning is rooted in the understanding that nothing is irreversible until the final act is played out. The origin is a bit unclear, but comes to us from two areas of endeavor – Musical Theatre and Sports. Today, I want to encourage you not with the singing of the lady, but the speaking of our Lord, rooted in our verse.

As fallen broken people in a fallen broken world, the experience of Gad is the experience of all of us. How often our adversaries have the upper hand. Countless waves of challenge threaten to drive us into the sand bars of life. How many fiery furnaces have we experienced, only to be left in the ashes of defeat. The dark night of the soul has been often our experience. Like Good Friday, to the watching world, it looks like we are defeated. But, beloved, all that has been proven at this point is the first part of our verse today. We, like Gad, have been tramped upon and would be left in utter despair, if not for the second part. 

It ain’t over till our faithful Lord speaks.

The promise is clear for the child of God . . . he shall triumph at last. The poet who said, “All’s well that ends well” spoke the most amazing and comforting biblical truth. For the believer, no battle – no conflict – no challenge – is to be judged by its beginning, for he shall triumph at the last. Remember this, everything you are going through – you are going through it. God is conforming you into the image and likeness of His beloved Son. He is using every life experience to this end and has given you the promise that all things are working toward your eternal good. 

I pray today that a calm confidence would embrace you regardless of where this finds you.  Remember, God did not bring you this far just to leave you here. He who began this good work in you has promised to complete it . . . at last.  Victory is assured. Oh, one final word about last – as Bunyan said, “Last means forever, for nothing can come after the last!” Let that truth set you free not just today, but every day as you make your way to the Celestial City. 

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

Let me caution you to make a careful reading of today’s title. I don’t want you to think the word profit was misspelled. It was not intended to be prophet – a man who speaks on behalf of God.  So, what did I mean by the word profit?  Let’s take a look.

Did you know that our Lord Jesus Christ entered into this world, took on human flesh, lived a perfect and sinless life, died a sacrificial death, rose from the dead on the third day, and ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father . . . and He did it all for profit – both His and ours.

In His free response to His Father’s will, Jesus came to pay the penalty of our sin that he might return an alienated people back into a right relationship with their fountainhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus came to slay the devilish dragon and thereby win back those who had been separated from Him by their sin. This was for His PROFIT!

But that’s not all. His profit is our PROFIT, for in Christ we have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3).     

• Chosen
• Adopted
• Redemption
• Forgiveness
• Wisdom
• Sealing of Holy Spirit

The list of our profit given from our Prince is truly endless. We are now ambassadors of the Almighty, called into the ministry of reconciliation. We have available to us a peace the world knows nothing about, for it is a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).  And if that was not enough profit, we are given the unimaginable honor of being the bride of Christ without the possibility of divorce. 

What a “win win” we have been given. Jesus wins us and we win Him. His profit is our profit.  Oh, and there is only one loss recorded on our eternal profit and loss statement – THE PENALTY OF OUR SIN. Let this truth encourage and motivate you to live for the glory of the One who made all of this possible. 

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:  “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

Did you know that our Lord Jesus Christ has staked His claim on us from two providential perspectives? The 1^st is Natural and the 2^nd is Supernatural. Let’s take a look.

• Natural Claim of Christ

This claim is rooted in the reality that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and therefore, has a rightful claim on everything in the universe, and that includes both you and me. 

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1

Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  John 1:3

• Supernatural Claim of Christ

This claim is rooted in the reality that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Redeemer and Savior of the world, and therefore, has a rightful claim on everything He has redeemed, and that includes both you and me.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Twice born makes you twice His. If the natural claim was not enough, surely the supernatural claim is. The “right of redemption” . . . the “claim of the cross” . . . the “buying of the blood” forever settles any insurrection on our part. To be sure, you are still in this world, but you are no longer of this world. Your citizenship is in heaven. You are merely a pilgrim passing through this world on your way to the Celestial City. But along the way, be still long enough to remember Whose you are, and the life He is calling you to live for His glory and the good of others. Here is a wonderful quote from the Dutch Theologian, Abraham Kuyper, to close with:

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

In the ancient world (and in some cultures today), the name given to a new born baby meant something more than a word in which to call the child. For the Israelite baby, receiving a name was the first significant and important experience in life. The Hebrew parents would give to the child the particular name for a variety of reasons: to describe their future “hopes” for the child; to paint a picture of the child’s personality; to commemorate an event close to the time of birth; a family name passed down from previous generations; a prophetic revelation of the destiny of the child. And in God’s perfect providence, many children would live up to their names.  Here are the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel.

      Name                                            Meaning

• Reuben                                    “Look, a son!”
• Simeon                                    “One who hears”
• Levi                                          “Being attached”
• Judah                                       “Praise”
• Dan                                          “To judge”
• Naphtali                                  “My struggle”
• Gad                                          “Good fortune”
• Asher                                       “Happy”
• Issachar                                   “Reward”
• Zebulun                                   “Honor”
• Joseph                                     “May he add”
• Benjamin                                 “Sone of my right hand”

God was also personally involved in the “Name Game.” When God promised Abram that he would father many nations, outnumbering the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea shore, he renamed him “Abraham.” God sent an angel of the Lord to Joseph in a dream telling him what to name the baby the virgin Mary was carrying in her womb, Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins. 

My name given at birth was “Thomas” meaning “twin.” My name was given to me not because I was a twin, but rather, my parents wanted to pass down my father’s name to me. Over a decade ago, God gave me a brother in the Lord who I call my twin . . . not because we have the same name (his name is Rick) of same mother, but because we have the same God who gave us the same heartbeat for Jesus and each other in our service to our Lord. Now I don’t know what your name is by birth, but what I do know is what your new name is by second birth . . . CHRISTIAN . . . which means “FOLLOWER OF CHRIST!” You received that name when you placed your trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, by grace through faith.

So, the question is this – “Are you living up to your new name?” Now I am not suggesting any of us can live up to the name “CHRISTIAN” perfectly, but we are to be living up to our name progressively. That is what is known as the process of sanctification. The same grace that saves us is the same grace that sanctifies us – making us more and more like Christ each day. Remember, He who began a good work in you and gave to you your new name, will one day soon, bring it to completion when you are brought home into glory (Philippians 1:6). Knowing what your new name in Christ means, can you prayerfully consider any changes you need to make in your life today, to more reflect who you truly are? God is ready, willing, and able if you are. 

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

“Come now, and let us reason together.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Is it right for a mere mortal stained by sin and self-absorption, to reason with God? As long as we understand the biblical meaning of the word “reason” in the above context, it is not only right, but it is commanded. Let’s take a look.

First, here is what it does not mean to “reason” with our Redeemer. It does not mean that we come to the throne room of heaven in the posture of the criminal defense attorney and plead our case of wrongdoing by defending ourselves and making excuses for our actions. Self-justification is as unwelcomed as it is unwarranted when we stand before the revealed truth of Scripture knowingly having violated it. Second, it does not mean we engage in arguing with the Almighty regarding any set of circumstances. What it does mean is we come humbly and boldly to the throne of grace . . . according to His will.   

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  1 John 5:14

When we are operating from the organizing principle that directed the entire life of Jesus – “yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42), then we can be assured that God will hear and respond to our reasoning. Now the only way we can effectively reason with our Redeemer according to the will of God is to know and understand the will of God, and that comes primarily through meditating on and marinating in the sacred Scriptures. Remember, God had His Word written down so that we would read it. He could have left it up to the Holy Spirit to inspire, motivate, and guide us. But He did not!

Because Jesus was in constant communication with His Father in heaven, He was always sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit into the will of His Father. There are many ways to commune with God, but the two primary ways is prayer and the reading of the Word. The more time we spend in these two disciplines, the more we will be aligned with God’s will. And the more we are aligned with God’s will, the better we will be able to “reason” with our Redeemer. 

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

These all died in faith. (Hebrews 11:13)

Today’s word of encouragement is rooted in the fact that as a disciple of Christ, you have been called to be good at the basic skills of math . . . addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. So, how are your mathematical skills? Have you been putting them to good use lately for the glory of God? Let’s take a look.

• ADDITION

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.                   2 Peter 1:5-8

• SUBTRACTION

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  Colossians 3:5

• MULTIPLICATION

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  1 Thessalonians 3:12

• DIVISION

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15

To be sure, our Master has called us to be MATHEMATICIANS. And equally certain, we are all stronger in some areas and weaker in others, which is why we need to examine ourselves on a regular basis – just like our math teachers did for us when we were in school. We are to be adding knowledge to our faith . . . subtracting all that is earthly and fleshly from our lives . . . multiplying our love for all those God puts on our path . . . and rightly dividing the Word of truth. The better we become as mathematicians for our Master, the better we will be able to glorify our God and bring eternal good to others . . . all others.   

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

These all died in faith. (Hebrews 11:13)

It is a great grace from God to have been raised from death to life so that we can live by faith. But it is an even greater grace from God to be preserved throughout the entirety of our lives and to die in faith. For that is indeed a divine death that brings to those who experience it unspeakable blessings. 

The epitaph of the faithful from the pen of the writer of Hebrews echoes in eternity. It matters not how they died. For some, they died in their ripe old age after many years of fruitful service to their God. For others, it was the spring time of their lives. And still for others, they died a martyrs’ death. But, regardless of their exit, they went through the veil in faith and that is all that truly matters. 

What starts in faith will end in faith because the Faithful One has promised to preserve us to the end. The saints of God who die in faith trusted not in their own merits nor rested in the glory of their own good works. They looked only to Him who has given them the faith they lived by and died in. Living by faith looks both to the past and to the present. Dying in faith looks to the promised future which they do not presently possess, when they will enter in to the unbroken and unaltering presence of their Lord and Savior and every spiritual blessing.

Here indeed is cosmic comfort. Whether we live or we die . . . in faith . . . we are trusting in the Lord’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. And God is not a man that He should ever lie. The promises of God are as secure as they are satisfying and each one finds its ‘YES’ and ‘AMEN’ in Christ. We all die. The question is how? Either we die in faith or we die in sin. To die in sin is to live separated from the love of God and surrounded by His eternal wrath and judgment. But to die in faith is to live submerged in the sea of the Savior’s eternal light and love. 

So, how will your epitaph read when you breathe your last? If you are trusting in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, it will read as it does for all those in the “Hall of Faith” – “These all died in faith!” A divine death indeed.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!