The Blog
Body Parts
The Bible tells us that every local church is critically important in the kingdom of God. And if that is true, then every house church is critically important in the kingdom of God. … No one should blindly take my word for it. We can all read the Bible ourselves from a position of faith (like our passage here) and listen to what the Word of God Himself has to say on such matters. And people can disagree with me all they want. But let no one disagree with Jesus Christ, the Living Word.
BASICly
BASICly, what all believers need more of (including myself!) is a passion to serve the Lord and to build up His church. Along with that, what we all need more of is love for others and humility in regard to ourselves. … And in particular, we ought to think of our Lord’s desires above all things. What does Jesus want of me? What does His word tell me that He wants of me?
Discerning the Body
I might never preach a sermon on these verses. However, it is the word of God, and so we must reflect on what the Lord may want to communicate to us.
Christ the Head Again
To be clear with regard to my own opinion, I believe that the senior pastor, that is, the senior teaching and preaching pastor, of a church should be male.
Christ the Head
As the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting approaches, the controversy over whether women can hold the office of “pastor” in a church is coming to a head once again.
Jesus Is Coming
The point is not to give up living our lives because Jesus is coming back. The point is that we should live our lives to the full in Christ Jesus because Jesus is coming back. … Most Christians seem to understand church as an accessory to their lives. Jesus pleads with us to think differently.
My Rights
Simply to receive our salvation and not collect on our “reward” is to miss out on the fullness of life that Christ promises us—and along with it, trials of many kinds. It’s almost as if the trials of many kinds that we encounter when we take up our own cross is the vehicle or the platform through which we receive the fullness of life that life as a follower of Jesus Christ promises to us.
There’s Always Heaven
In an ironic way, Paul’s refusal to be paid may have done a disservice to all future ministers. Some churches seem to have the expectation that all ministers should serve the church free of charge. Or if some churches do pay their ministers, it may be just enough to live hand to mouth day to day—at least, as long as they can work. When they can no longer work, well … there’s always heaven.
Strong or Weak
The most obvious touch point to our own context might be the consumption of alcohol. … But the issue is not about alcohol, any more than it is about food sacrificed to idols. The issue is our consideration for the other person.