Strengthened by Our Unity
Biblical unity is not only a joyful and gratifying reality, it is also an essential component of any strong, vibrant, and fruitful church.
bible
Light
Jesus said that people prefer darkness rather than light because people don’t want their sinful deeds exposed (Jn.3:19-20). Of course this is an analogy. Your willingness to sit in the sun or your desire to dim the lights in the family room has nothing to do with…
Bible Abuse
If only we could see how often we abuse the Bible (and therefore, its Author) in an effort to bolster and justify our personal views and proclivities. The process is called “isogesis” – presupposing our own interpretation and views and “reading them into” a passage of Scripture when they…
Open Doors for the Word
We must see ourselves as Christ’s ambassadors always prepared and looking for opportunities to talk about God’s word and his plan of salvation.
Bible Reading
When God is at the center of our theology and Christ is at the head of our lives we begin to understand the Bible as it was intended to be understood. Approaching Scripture as God’s self-disclosure instead of our tool for self-improvement will undoubtedly open up an entirely new experience of Bible study. It is not hard to see the extreme difference
Question & Answer Service 2021-Part 3
Pastor Mike answers questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Questions in this session: 1. How do you transition from knowing about God to knowing God? 2. What is the best way to help people find the right path to live a life God wants them to live. (My paraphrase) 3. What is the best …
Question & Answer Service 2021-Part 2
Pastor Mike answers questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Questions from this session: 1. Covid Vaccine and the Mark of the Beast. 2. What happens to a young child that passes away before hearing the Gospel. 3. What is deconstruction? Definition of Modernism and Post-Modernism. 4. Roman 5 verses 30 and 40 are unclear …
Question & Answer Service 2021-Part 1
Pastor Mike answers questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Questions in this session: 1. Question on same sex attraction. 2. Do all pastors at Compass agree to all 5 points of grace. 3. Question related to understanding the differences between dispensational and Covenantal theologies and can they be reconciled. 4. How does a woman …
Knowing How the Scriptures Use Us
We must intently study the Bible so we are competent to guide others in God’s truth which can lead them to forgiveness and new life in Christ.
The Paganism of the People
It is always more costly than we think to follow our wayward enticements, and to turn away from obedience to Christ’s life-giving words.
Bible Critics
Many brash and outspoken people in our society take pleasure in criticizing, maligning and disparaging the Bible – most of them have very little knowledge of what they are attempting to disparage. When I happen to be present to hear such remarks…
The Fruit Producing Relationship
Because God’s Spirit has graciously done so much to redeem us, save us, and give us new life, we ought to certainly give our all to know him, love him, and wholeheartedly follow his instructions for our lives.
Bible Truth
As C. S. Lewis said about Jesus’ claims (i.e. he is either a lunatic, a liar or Lord), something similar could be said about the choices we face when we consider the book in which those claims are recorded. Either the Bible is a collection of error-laced letters penned by delusional authors…
Self Apologetics
The Apostle Paul actively engaged the people of his generation, logically and persuasively “destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Such is the work of apologetics, evangelism, and discipleship. But this is not only the work we should seek to do in the minds and hearts of others, it is a job that starts
Biblical Standard
Christians are often accused of defying logic and reason to become superstitious mystics when we run to quote our Bibles as the authority on what is true and how we should live. The problem with this accusation is that thoughtful Christians contend (perhaps not loudly or cogently enough) that it is supremely logical and reasonable to understand the Bible as God’s authoritative voice on life and reality. Christians are not asserting
Getting It Right
Rightly understanding and properly responding to the gospel is of paramount importance. Nothing could have broader or more profound consequences than being right or wrong about the content and demands of the message that determines our placement in eternity. While that seems
Training
Accomplished athletes make their sport look easy. But for all of us who have tried to advance in a sport, we know there is nothing easy about reaching a level of proficiency in athletics. Some people can make godliness look easy. They seem to effortlessly love God and do what is right. But the Bible is clear that like athletics, reaching a level of proficient godliness requires a lot of hard work. Paul wrote, “train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). The word that
Scripture Twisting
Occasionally when reading the words of Christ we come across some jarring statements. For instance, in Revelation 2:6 Jesus says to the church in Ephesus, “You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Sentences like that should slow us down to consider the powerful concern motivating such strong language. Think of it, “hatred” in this case was praised as godly when directed toward the behavior of a group of
Questions & Answers 2019-Part 3
Pastor Mike answers questions on the Bible, God and Christianity Questions in this service: 1. How do we learn to trust the Lord more? 2. Daughter goes to a Lutheran school that teaches confirmation. Is it okay for the daughter to go through these ceremonies when she does not know what she is doing? 3. …
Question & Answer Service 2019-Part 2
Pastor Mike answers questions on the Bible, God and Christianity Questions in this service: 1. How should I respond to my sisters gay marriage? 2. Matthew 12:31-32 – what exactly is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and how can we be sure we have not done so? 3. Galatians 5:22-23 – how are we to …
Question & Answer Service 2019-Part 1
Pastor Mike answers questions on the Bible, God and Christianity Questions in this service: 1. How do we maintain rest without being a legalist about it? What is rest? 2. How do you know that you are understanding what the Bible is instructing you to do. Talk about righteousness and self righteousness. 3. In Acts, …
The Message of the Resurrection
We are commissioned to bring the message of salvation to everyone, mindful that God will sovereignly choose to effectually empower our efforts as we are faithful to accurately relay the biblical gospel.
How the Righteous Respond
Responding rightly to Christ’s redemptive work should result in a growing love for God that produces good works, love for people, and a desire to obey the Bible’s commands.
