Tag: Faith

Belonging to the Church

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Sunday School Class // January 21, 2024
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This is a lesson I prepared for a Sunday School class and is based on the video series “The Basics of the Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson | Ligonier Ministries” (Lesson 3)

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Peter’s Confession | Matthew 16:18

Peter’s confession is the central point of the gospel and is essentially the heart of the ministry of Jesus. Although Jesus came to save individuals, he is also building a community of believers. This was difficult for the disciples because they didn’t truly understand the purpose of the Messiah, as evidenced immediately after this confession when Peter was rebuked for being a hindrance to the mission of Jesus. To better help the disciples (and us) understand this community-building aspect of his ministry, Jesus gives several word pictures to illustrate.

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Being a Christian

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Sunday School Class // January 14, 2024
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This is a lesson I prepared for a Sunday School class and is based on the video series “The Basics of the Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson | Ligonier Ministries” (Lesson 2)

Genesis 1:26 (ESV)
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

How would you describe yourself as a Christian?

This is an important question that we must be fully prepared to investigate and truly understand. Our identity in light of God’s declaration in the Bible is vital to our spiritual walk. If we are well grounded with a Biblical understanding of who we truly are in Christ, we will not be easily swayed and led astray by the ever-changing currents of our culture. We must truly reflect and meditate on what God’s word says about our identity and who we are. Two distinct pictures in the Bible help us better understand and answer this question: being a child and being a servant.

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Becoming a Christian

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Sunday School Class // January 7, 2024
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This is a lesson I prepared for a Sunday School class and is based on the video series “The Basics of the Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson | Ligonier Ministries” (Lesson 1)

John 8:12 (ESV)
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

Walking in Spiritual Darkness

  • John 8:12-20 
  • Darkness hinders our understanding of the gospel
  • We live according to the flesh (worldly)
  • Lies we tell ourselves

In this section, Jesus tells the listeners that they are walking in spiritual darkness and are in dire need of the spiritual light that is Jesus himself. Though he was speaking to people who were not already his disciples, his followers needed to be reminded of this every day. We are easily led astray by the lies we tell ourselves and often wander off the straight and narrow path of obedience. We grow more accustomed to living in the world and our fleshly desires cloud our ability to both see and respond to the gospel light.

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The Lord Answers

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Journal Entry // January 8, 2023

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: (ESV)

Job 38:1

As I sat down to read this next section of Job this morning, I was contemplating my internal comparison to Job over the past month. Job is a difficult book in that it often portrays the true thoughts and misunderstandings of both Job and his friends as they work through this process of grief. As I have read through these different questions, answers, and rebukes it has called to mind all the many times that I have questioned the goodness and justice of God in my own life as well. These past few weeks have been a strenuous exercise to evaluate and understand the conclusions that Job and his friends have come to and then examine my heart for these same false narratives. Now I come to the reading this morning and I am drawn to this first verse and its simple statement that the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind. Where Job challenged God to answer the questions he had, God honored his request and visited Job with the answers he was seeking.

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Come Out of Babylon

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Journal Entry // December 28, 2022

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (ESV)

Revelation 18:4

Am I living in Babylon? The description of a great city that is driven by power and focused on pleasure sure sounds a lot like these modern times. The illustration and indictment of the Lord against Babylon as the sins of the city are listed to be judged can easily be seen in our culture and times. So the answer to the question of whether I am living in Babylon is a definitive, yes. With this being true, I need to be mindful of the call to come out of this culture. The call to come out is important because it is a warning message that the corrupting influence of this power-driven and pleasure-seeking culture will ensnare everyone it touches if we are not mindful and watching. The warning from the Lord is to come out of Babylon completely. To leave and not get caught up in their sins of lusting after power and pleasure. The call is to be holy, separate from, just as Christ is holy.

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Week 52, 2022

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Week Fifty-two of Cultivate Delight, where we are actively planning our spiritual endeavors this coming week with the goal of a consistent time spent engaging our hearts with Christ in his word, in prayer, in reflection, and in music. Below are some starting points for reflection, and I hope you find them helpful. The goal is to not just rush through these and then get on with your day. Take your time and reflect throughout the week on these items.

“Heaven is a goal, and unless you run you shall never obtain it. Heaven is a crown of life, but unless you are faithful to death, you shall never wear it.”
Christopher Love, The Christian’s Duty and Safety in Evil Times

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Week 51, 2022

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Week Fifty-one of Cultivate Delight, where we are actively planning our spiritual endeavors this coming week with the goal of a consistent time spent engaging our hearts with Christ in his word, in prayer, in reflection, and in music. Below are some starting points for reflection, and I hope you find them helpful. The goal is to not just rush through these and then get on with your day. Take your time and reflect throughout the week on these items.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ is ascended to heaven beforehand to prepare a place for the elect there.”
Christopher Love, Christ’s Ascension

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Every Tear

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Journal Entry // December 12, 2022

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (ESV)

Revelation 7:17

There are three things I must remember from this passage. First, that I have a shepherd who is in the midst of the throne. Second, that my shepherd knows exactly where he is leading me. Third, that when I arrive at these springs of living water, my tears will be wiped away by God himself. There is so much comfort in this singular verse. So much to look forward to. This sojourn and journey of faith in this world will be filled with many wolves and predators seeking to devour this simple sheep, but the One who sits on the throne and reigns from on high is my shepherd. He is my protector. He is my redeemer.

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Week 50, 2022

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Week Fifty of Cultivate Delight, where we are actively planning our spiritual endeavors this coming week with the goal of a consistent time spent engaging our hearts with Christ in his word, in prayer, in reflection, and in music. Below are some starting points for reflection, and I hope you find them helpful. The goal is to not just rush through these and then get on with your day. Take your time and reflect throughout the week on these items.

“If I would not trust a man for a few pennies, would I trust him because he had dollars? If I cannot be content to trust God for the material provisions and things of this life, do I truly trust him for life everlasting?”
Paul Bayne – The Armor of God

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Week 49, 2022

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Week Forty-nine of Cultivate Delight, where we are actively planning our spiritual endeavors this coming week with the goal of a consistent time spent engaging our hearts with Christ in his word, in prayer, in reflection, and in music. Below are some starting points for reflection, and I hope you find them helpful. The goal is to not just rush through these and then get on with your day. Take your time and reflect throughout the week on these items.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ is ascended to heaven beforehand to prepare a place for the elect there.”
– Christopher Love, Christ’s Ascension

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