Welcome One Another

On January 19, 2015 By BrianIn Church Life

Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
– Romans 15:7

How has Christ welcomed you? Was it based on your good works that he welcomed you? Was it based on your behavior? Was it based on your performance? No, he welcomed you apart from your works, apart from your behavior, apart from your performance. Indeed, he welcomed you in spite of your works, your behavior, your performance. He died for you while you were still a sinner. He loved you when you were unlovable. He welcomed you by grace, in light of his sacrifice on your behalf.

And we are to welcome each other as Christ welcomed us – apart from their works, their behavior, their performance. Even when they are unlovable, when they don’t measure up to our standards, when they are not perfect. We are to look past their sins that Jesus already paid for and see their righteous standing in Christ. We are to welcome each other as Christ welcomed us – by grace.

But again, how has Christ welcomed you? Was it based on your personality? Was it based on your personal convictions about all kinds of little things? Was it based on your standard of living? Was it based on your level of education? Was it based on your sense of humor? No, of course not – he welcomed you based on his finished work on the cross.

And we are to welcome each other as Christ welcomed us – regardless of our personalities, personal convictions, standards of living, levels of education, or senses of humor. We come together in Christ. The church is not a club for people that are all the same. The church is for very different people coming together in Christ, welcoming each other by grace.

Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Passion Points

On January 17, 2015 By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

When Things Get Complicated, Remember The Basics – Trevin Wax

9 Things You Need To Know About Widows – Gaye Clark (TGC)

Why You May Be Tempted To Neglect Your Church – Tim Challies

10 Love Challenges – David Murray

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day living out a passion for God and compassion for people!

Passion Points

On January 10, 2015 By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Heaven Will Never Be Boring – Dave Radford (DG)
Because God is infinite, he can be infinitely enjoyed. Jesus Christ is not concerned about running out of ways to keep up with your ever-increasing ability to enjoy him. His character is endlessly deep, unsearchable, and inexhaustible. Imagine the scope of the entire universe: trillions of shining stars, burning brighter than the sun; magnificent constellations; billions of spinning galaxies, all magnificent and vast, colorful and mysterious. Yet, they are finite. Brilliant, though they are, they fall utterly short in comparison to the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ. His love, grace, kindness, wisdom, power, and mercy each stand as never-ending, infinite universes for all your affections to delight in.

All Of Us Need A Friend Like Martin Luther Once In A While – Justin Taylor
All of us need a Martin Luther in our lives now and then—a friend who is not afraid to stand on gospel promises and get in our face with gospel truth when we would rather wallow in self-pity.

Why the Church Needs Intergenerational Friendships – Joseph Rhea (TGC) Intergenerational community is part of God’s vision for the church (see Titus 2). It’s a beautiful one, and friendship is the key. When individual Christians believe it’s worth sacrificing for, our churches will begin reflecting that multigenerational beauty.

5 Reasons to Pray for Other Churches – Eric Bancroft (Ligonier)
When natural disasters take place, churches act lovingly to care for other affected churches. But why must we wait until problems strike and only help in physical ways? I propose that we act now with the greatest resource we have and for the greatest goal: that churches reflect the character of God.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day in fellowship with God’s people of all ages as you gather to worship our great Lord!

Passion Points

On January 3, 2015 By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are two FREE devotionals you might find useful for the coming year:

Morning and Evening – Charles Spurgeon (audio)

TableTalk – January only (e-book)

And then here are a couple of good posts for your weekend reading:

Ten Practical Ways to Control Spending and Wisely Manage God’s Money – Randy Alcorn

Three Reasons to Attend Corporate Worship – Matthew Westerholm (DG)

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day in corporate worship with your local church!

Passion Points

On December 20, 2014 By BrianIn PASSION Points

It has been a busy week, so I haven’t had much chance for blogging. Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

6 Great Reasons To Study Doctrine – Tim Challies

Six Truths about Sickness – Brian G. Najapfour

How to Use the Back of a Napkin to Prove to a Jehovah’s Witness That Jesus Is God – Greg Koukl (via Justin Taylor)

Don’t Give Up Meeting Together – Michael Kelley (IX Marks)

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day meeting together with your local church to worship our great God!

The Task of the Expositor

On November 24, 2014 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

In this high and sacred calling, the task of expository preaching, we are to be men of spiritual wisdom and understanding in the mysteries of the gospel. We must each have a genuine experience of the power of the truth we proclaim. It is incumbent upon us to be able to divide the Word correctly and to feed the sheep as we discern their condition by spending time among them. There must be zeal about us for the glory of God and a compassion for the souls of men.

– Alistair Begg in Expositor Nov/Dec 14

Church Collection

On November 12, 2014 By BrianIn Church Collection

Here are some helpful posts on finding, considering, and starting at a new church:

Looking for a Church? 3 Suggestions – Trevin Wax

4 Questions To Ask Before Joining a Church – Brian Croft (TGC)

How to Start at Your New Church – Kevin DeYoung

Passion Points

On November 8, 2014 By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

3 Things To Consider Before That Next Big Sin – Tim Challies
John Owen has a challenge for you. Before that next big sin you are pondering, he wants you to simply consider three things…

4 Things That Happen When You Study Leviticus More Than 10 Years – Jay Sklar (TGC)
In my experience, at least four profound things happen when this book begins to seep into your soul…

Someday It Will Be Worth It – Mark Altrogge (Blazing Center)
You won’t be disappointed. Keep believing in Jesus. Keep hoping in him. Keep clinging to him and abiding in him. Don’t give up, no matter how bad the pain gets. You won’t be put to shame. Keep rejoicing and giving thanks in all things. You can’t imagine your reward and the joys that await you.

Preparing for Sunday Worship – Jason Helopoulis
We believe our engagement in corporate worship is essential, so we should also expect to prepare even as we expect the pastor and musicians to prepare for their participation in the Sunday morning service. How can you prepare for worship?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day prepared for corporate worship of our great God!