294 results
When Christians cannot agree
Church bulletin: Wouldn’t it be a whole lot easier if one of the apostles put into writing exactly who, why and how someone should be baptised. Why isn’t there a passage outlining precisely the structure and parameters of church government. Wouldn’t the…
Motives
Church bulletin: I was recently struck by something Carl Trueman related from a discussion with a friend. The friend made this observation about young men training for the ministry, “their desire is not to teach but to be teachers.” I guess he…
Don’t over analyse
Church bulletin: I think some Christians can be overly analytical & too concerned with crossing Ts and dotting Is. Those in conservative circles are probably more susceptible. I am not in any sense advocating a lazy and careless approach to faith and…
Learning from leisure
Church bulletin: Toward the end of last year, I took up swimming. It has been a bit inconsistent due to work, holidays & health, but the aim is to go twice per week. I started with around 20 laps in the 25m…
Honest to God
Church bulletin: A pastor friend was chatting to a lady the other day, a person he describes as godly and faithful. In the course of the conversation this woman expressed her admiration for Rahab. Then she said, I too was once a…
The weapons of our warfare
Church bulletin: We are living at a time when the truth historically proclaimed is on the nose. It is under attack from every angle – the parliament, the media, the classroom, etc. We are living at a time when sin is tolerated…
The sin of the high hand
Chruch bulletin: There is a man in the Old Testament who was stoned to death for gathering sticks on the Sabbath. Or was he? Num 15:32-36, “Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks…
It would seem that Russell has joined the flock
Church bulletin: Just over a month ago, English comedian Russell Brand was baptised in response to his profession of faith. I don’t know much about him other than the bits and pieces I have picked up through the media over the years…
Singleness
Church bulletin: I recently had opportunity to minister three messages at a sister church on the subject of marriage. From the same passages I also made application for people who are not married. I sometimes feel that so much attention is given…
What do you see?
Church bulletin: Matt 9:35-36, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (36) But when He saw the multitudes, He was…
The bankruptcy of individualism
Church bulletin: Being an individual is a wonderful thing. We are uniquely made with our own personality traits, physical distinctives, idiosyncrasies, tastes, desires, etc. We are saved as individuals, and we relate to God as individuals. Individuality is a mark of God’s…
Cancelling cancel culture
Church bulletin: No sooner had Alister Begg made the comments that he did, and the rumblings of cancelation began. The rumblings became an earthquake when he refused to repent (if you don’t know what I am referring to, consult Google). Now to…
We are called to be spiritual not mystical
Church bulletin: Christians are by definition spiritual people. If we are not spiritual, we are not Christian. What do I mean by spiritual? Spirituality is the point of contact between the human and the divine. While we are physical and finite creatures…
The blessing of getting older
Church bulletin: I caught a glimpse of a woman being interviewed on TV the other day – I assume an actress. While I only saw the interview for a moment, a comment she made stuck with me – “I am looking forward…
Reflections from a trip away
Church bulletin: For numerous reasons including Covid and changes to our family situation, I haven’t been away with ministry for a while. At the beginning of March, I was able to take the opportunity to speak at a combined church camp just…
From deconstruction to reconstruction
Church bulletin: Apparently, deconstructing faith is all the rage. It has become something of a pastime for Christians to deconstruct (re-examine) their faith and as a consequence give it up. They claim to discover that doctrines such as Biblical authority, creation, sin…
Does the Bible teach generational curses?
Church bulletin: Exodus 20:4-5, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; (5) you shall not bow…
Can we please stop talking about Jesus
Church bulletin: Shock! Horror! Gasp! What kind of pastor would say such a thing. It’s not what you think. In my opinion, the way some Christians speak of the Saviour comes across overly casual and familiar – Jesus this, Jesus that, introducing…
Rejoicing in a difficult world
Church bulletin: There is much in this world to drag us down. Wars and rumours of war are nothing new, but having reports and images thrust daily into our consciousness is a modern phenomenon. Crime, societal unrest, fractured families, cost of living…
Shelf-examination
Church bulletin: Not self-examination, but shelf-examination. What did you read in 2023 that was particularly helpful, enjoyable, rewarding. Hopefully we have been able to do some reading over the last twelve months. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we must be bookish –…