All The Difference

Our penchant to accept sinful displays of temper erodes our capacity to enjoy true righteous anger. Our temper is understandably directed toward those with whom we are closest and predictably sparked by situations out of our control. To change, we have to...listen to find out.

Our penchant to accept sinful displays of temper erodes our capacity to enjoy true righteous anger. Our temper is understandably directed toward those with whom we are closest and predictably sparked by situations out of our control. To change, we have to...listen to find out

Personally, in our homes, in business, as nations, and even theologically Christians accept and even promote dishonesty. This particular sin pattern is possibly the most dangerous of all as failure here threatens the capacity to grow in all other areas. We must acknowledge our evil; re-ignite our consciences; and find power and courage in Christ to be continuously honest.

Personally, in our homes, in business, as nations, and even theologically Christians accept and even promote dishonesty. This particular sin pattern is possibly the most dangerous of all as failure here threatens the capacity to grow in all other areas. We must acknowledge our evil; re-ignite our consciences; and find power and courage in Christ to be continuously honest.

The furthering of filth is possibly the most epidemic aspect of our current western malaise. Our cultures and churches are especially overrun with inappropriate sexuality & sins of the tongue. The problem begins inside our dirty hearts. Again, we must recognize how we are missing the mark (harmartia); reaffirm God's reasonable & healthy standards; and rely on the redeemed community, scripture, and Spirit to help us change.

The furthering of filth is possibly the most epidemic aspect of our current western malaise. Our cultures and churches are especially overrun with inappropriate sexuality & sins of the tongue. The problem begins inside our dirty hearts. Again, we must recognize how we are missing the mark (harmartia); reaffirm God's reasonable & healthy standards; and rely on the redeemed community, scripture, and Spirit to help us change.

We tend to be selfish in our interests (thanks, Jerry B.), money, time, and interactions. Other sins also flow from this base of self-centeredness: jealousy, competitiveness, and controlling others. Not only is this tendency inherent in our flesh, our world often praises such behavior. Further, Christian communities exalt some of this, especially competitiveness & control, and our parenting is rife with sponsored selfishness. The solution is to – 1. Recognize the sin. 2. Raise our standards. 3. Clear the bar by: a. Focus on God's sovereignty. b. Pray for others regularly. c. Practice self-control. d. Exalt graciousness and generosity.

We tend to be selfish in our interests (thanks, Jerry B.), money, time, and interactions. Other sins also flow from this base of self-centeredness: jealousy, competitiveness, and controlling others. Not only is this tendency inherent in our flesh, our world often praises such behavior. Further, Christian communities exalt some of this, especially competitiveness & control, and our parenting is rife with sponsored selfishness. The solution is to – 1. Recognize the sin. 2. Raise our standards. 3. Clear the bar by: a. Focus on God's sovereignty. b. Pray for others regularly. c. Practice self-control. d. Exalt graciousness and generosity.

One of the main causes of our joyless, immature living in modern Christianity is our lack of mortification and vivification. We have lowered the bar of "conduct becoming a Christian" and must learn to raise the bar and partner with the Spirit in regularly vaulting over it. We will discuss the three-fold process inherent in each of these sermon studies: recognize the lowering standard of sin; raise our expectations in line with scripture; and follow God's means to triumphantly clear the bar every day. We will also cover introductory material, including our history and the false strategies of irresponsibility and legalistic holiness.

One of the main causes of our joyless, immature living in modern Christianity is our lack of mortification and vivification. We have lowered the bar of "conduct becoming a Christian" and must learn to raise the bar and partner with the Spirit in regularly vaulting over it. We will discuss the three-fold process inherent in each of these sermon studies: recognize the lowering standard of sin; raise our expectations in line with scripture; and follow God's means to triumphantly clear the bar every day. We will also cover introductory material, including our history and the false strategies of irresponsibility and legalistic holiness.

If we do not take time to celebrate the tiny wins, then all we have left to remember are the losses. A long-term High School coach once told me: "it takes a ton more good things to get us over one bad thing (thing being words, events, whatever). When we do not celebrate the good, we let the bad win."

If we do not take time to celebrate the tiny wins, then all we have left to remember are the losses. A long-term High School coach once told me: "it takes a ton more good things to get us over one bad thing (thing being words, events, whatever). When we do not celebrate the good, we let the bad win."

The Ebenezer effect is incredibly significant throughout scripture, and understandably highlighted in the psalms. Almost all of the songs contain some form of testimonial, and some are completely devoted to praising God publicly. When we tell truth about God's goodness we are reminded of grace and others we may never know are edified as well.

The Ebenezer effect is incredibly significant throughout scripture, and understandably highlighted in the psalms. Almost all of the songs contain some form of testimonial, and some are completely devoted to praising God publicly. When we tell truth about God's goodness we are reminded of grace and others we may never know are edified as well.

The penitential psalms are heartbreaking, evoking the ache felt in every soul that begins to see the enormous evil of our sin accurately. Yet these psalms are important. Besides revealing truth about sin, they guide God's worshiper to a knowledge of grace.

The penitential psalms are heartbreaking, evoking the ache felt in every soul that begins to see the enormous evil of our sin accurately. Yet these psalms are important. Besides revealing truth about sin, they guide God's worshiper to a knowledge of grace.

The trust psalms reveal an important truth that carries from the Abrahamic covenant through the Old Testament, to the New Covenant, and beyond – righteousness comes by faith.

The trust psalms reveal an important truth that carries from the Abrahamic covenant through the Old Testament, to the New Covenant, and beyond – righteousness comes by faith.

When evil is called righteous or vice-versa, YHWH leads His people to sing the imprecatory psalms. They are not intended as petty grumpiness; rather they are an important part of living according to truth. Imprecation makes us think correctly, exposes our own sin, comes from a place of care for the oppressed and the oppressor, and leads to God's praise.

When evil is called righteous or vice-versa, YHWH leads His people to sing the imprecatory psalms. They are not intended as petty grumpiness; rather they are an important part of living according to truth. Imprecation makes us think correctly, exposes our own sin, comes from a place of care for the oppressed and the oppressor, and leads to God's praise.