Using Jaroslav Pelikan’s commentary on Acts in the Brazos Theological Commentary set, this series of short posts will explore some of the 84 significant theological… Read More »Acts of God (Acts 1The Gospel of Forty Days): #2
We’re talking on Sunday morning’s about how to be salt and light. Scholar John Stott writes these challenging words:[1] Our Christian habit is to bewail the world’s deteriorating standards with an air of rather self-righteous dismay. We criticize its violence, dishonesty, immorality, disregard for human life, and materialistic greed. “The world is going down the drain,” we say with a shrug. But whose fault is it? Who is to blame? Let me put it like this. If the house is dark when nightfall comes, there is no sense in blaming the house; that is what happens when the sun goes down. The question to ask is “Where is the light?” Similarly, if the meat goes bad and becomes inedible, there is no sense in blaming the meat; that is what happens when bacteria are left alone to breed. The question to ask is “Where is the salt?” Just so, if society deteriorates and its standards decline until it becomes like a dark night or a stinking fish, there is no sense in blaming society; that is what happens when fallen men and women are left to themselves, and human selfishness is unchecked. The question to ask is “Where is the Church? Why are the salt and light of Jesus Christ not permeating and changing our society?” It is sheer hypocrisy on our part to raise our eyebrows, shrug our shoulders, or wring our hands. The Lord Jesus told us to be the world’s salt and light. If therefore darkness and rottenness abound, it is largely our fault and we must accept the blame.
Read More »Revolution: Turning People to Faith Through Compassion (Matt. 9:35-36)
In 1925, a life-or-death race to Nome, Alaska was held.[1] The race was the precursor of Alaska’s famous Iditarod sled-dog race. That January, doctors feared that a deadly diphtheria epidemic was about to sweep through Nome. Nome had none of the serum that could stop the epidemic. But there was serum in Anchorage, about one thousand miles away. Sadly, only one airplane existed that could quickly transport the serum from Anchorage to Nome, but the airplane had just been dismantled for the winter. In desperation, a sled-dog relay was organized. More than 20 mushers took part. They and their dogs raced in strong winds and in temperatures near 40 degrees below zero. Reporters brought news of the race and the world was captured by the drama. And just six days after the 1000 mile race began, Gunner Kaassen drove his dog team into the streets of Nome and delivered the life-saving medicine.
Read More »Revolution: Turning People to Faith Through Closeness (Matt. 8:1)
God’s mission statement from Gen. 12 has finally been put into action–a new nation has been released from bondage to Egypt and sent to be… Read More »Complaining: The Greatest Threat to Mission?