A Meditation on The Epiphany or Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles
The Epiphany or Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles January 6, 2021 The Collect O GOD, who by the leading of a star manifested your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles: mercifully grant, that we, who know you now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of your glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our […]
A Meditation on the Circumcision of Christ
The Circumcision of Christ January 1, 2021 The Collect ALMIGHTY God, who made your blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; grant us the true Circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey […]
The Devil: Knowing His Craft
The ancient African church father, Tertullian, once wrote about the Romans’ hatred of the title “Christian.” He said this hatred couldn’t be rooted in the word itself, since Christianus meant “anointing.” Nor could the hatred be rooted in their mispronunciation, Chrestianus, meaning, “good.” He concluded that the Romans hated the title “Christian” because it bore […]
The Devil: The Most Important Thing You Need to Know
The Devil. It’s a title that conjures many images in our minds. Following up on my previous armor of God series (see links at the end of this article) I’d like to talk about him. As Christians we must fight against him. From that previous series, do you remember how? It’s our duty to deal […]
The Armor of God: Your Offense Against Satan
At any given point in time, I have several members of the United States Marine Corps under my care as pastor. Their strength never ceases to amaze me. They carry the equivalent of a large child on their backs. Marines join up for a job that pays little. They’re called away from their families for […]
The Armor of God: Your Defense Against Satan
When a pastor looks out over his congregation, he shouldn’t merely see sheep who follow their shepherd, but soldiers who follow their captain. In contrast, the Devil wants the preacher to see his people merely through physical eyes. He wants a preacher to see what he knows so well. “This is a congregation of sinners.” […]
The Armor of God: The Call to Arms Against Satan
In Ephesians 6, Paul preaches the necessity of Christians being strong against Satan in Christ (v. 10). We call this “spiritual warfare.” That might sound to some of us downright Charismatic or Pentecostal! But you shouldn’t have visions of “charismania!” Make no mistake about it: the apostle calls us to this warfare. Further, Reformed catholic […]
The Armor of God: Being Strong Against Satan
“Why are you called a Christian?” (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 32) Because we bear the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16). Not only does this name mark us out positively as followers of Jesus Christ, it marks us out negatively—as targets for Satan’s flaming arrows. Do you realize you’re at war, Christian? There’s […]
God’s Glory in the Tabernacle
We’ve come to the end of our series on God’s glory in Exodus. This story began in Egypt, moved into the wilderness, and has brought us to Sinai. We’ve heard Israel’s prayers and have seen God’s answers. Pharaoh’s persecution was prominent but God’s liberation was more so. In the law we learned how to find […]
God’s Glory in His Presence
“Daddy, I want you to go with me.” Dad, tiredly says, “But you know where it’s at. I’ll be right here.” “But, daddy, I want you with me; I want to hold your hand.” Our kids often need the assurance of our words as well as our presence. Nothing beats the presence of Dad. Nothing […]