The Joy of True Repentance
We should seek to find true joy in repentance – our own and others’ – as we celebrate grace and purpose to genuinely love other forgiven brothers and sisters.
Joy
Glimpses of the Goal
We must understand our profound connection with each other because of our union with Christ.
June 6, 2024
Questions in this episode: – If a person is saved and they commit suicide do they loose their salvation? – Are you really a christian if you struggle with joy and happiness in this country/world today? – Will sins committed and forgiven, be exposed even though you are saved? – Comparing John and James, …
The Elements of a Good Defense
We must respond to anti-Christian accusations against us with a respectful, positive, and well-reasoned defense, doing all we can to represent Christ in a dignified manner.
Count It All Joy?
It is admittedly a challenge to “count it all joy, when you meet trials of various kinds” (Jms.1:2). But if we start by understanding that “counting it joy” is not the same as “enjoying” or “feeling good” about the painful situations in our lives, it may help us…
Needful Lessons for Life’s Ups & Downs
We must revitalize our engagement in prayer, knowing we have access through Christ to bring our requests to a holy and omnipotent Creator.
Saving Lives
We must be prepared and perceptive enough to capitalize on evangelistic opportunities that God has sovereignly placed before us.
Joy
While it is true that sorrow may teach us more than happiness (Ecclesiastes 7:2), joy and gladness are certainly more appropriate in the hearts and attitudes of those who know and love God. The psalmist exclaimed, “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for…
Celebrate the Incarnation
We should never be apprehensive about following the example of biblical history in crafting our own festive traditions to honor and celebrate God’s redemptive work in Christ.
Joyful Thanksgiving
Psalm 96 calls us to “Sing to the Lord” (Ps.96:1a). Regardless of our present pains or disappointments, the Bible assumes that if we are recipients of his grace and mercy, we have a lot to sing about. And the focus should not only be historical (i.e. what God did for us in years past), but our attention should also be on…
Strength Amid Discouragement
In the pages of Scripture, even the most godly people periodically grapple with discouragement. Circumstances inevitably lead to feelings of hurt, loneliness and dejection. God’s people are not immune to these kinds of bitter feelings, but what godly people provide is…
Rejoice
In Philippians 4:4 we are commanded to “Rejoice in the Lord always!” That is quite a remarkable command given that we had already been warned by Christ that life won’t always feel good (cf. Jn.16:33). But the directive is given and our response is expected…
Real Pleasure
As the people of this world perpetually chase after good feelings by doing whatever their selfish impulses dictate, God has called his children to take hold of profound joy and lasting gratification by cultivating a deepening relationship with their Maker. Sin is deceptive and…
Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
God has commanded and will supply what is needed for us to experience and maintain the positive and optimistic virtue he calls joy, regardless of our circumstances.
When Our Light Shines in the Darkness
We must always remember that the biblical Jesus is an offense to the world so that we can remain joyful and resolute when our alliance and loyalty to him cause conflicts with non-Christians.
The Lord is My Strength
We should always be characterized by strength and courage because Christ has secured our favored place with the Father and the Holy Spirit will see us through until the coming of the kingdom.
The Impact of Repentance
Dig into the key verse for Book of Luke. We should rejoice in our salvation and pursue our sanctification knowing that when God works repentance in our lives his forgiving grace entirely covers our sins and permanently redirects our lives.
Offering God a Heart of Gratitude
Mindful of the huge difference our thanksgiving makes to God, others, and ourselves, we should be careful to regularly credit God for his gracious work of salvation on our behalf.
Grateful for the Gift Repentance
Christians need be extremely grateful for the way God planned, orchestrated, and empowered our turning from sin and our calling out to him to be forgiven.
Grieving Over the Sinfulness of Sin
We must see sin for the grievous and scandalous rebellion that it is so that we can learn to rightly appreciate and celebrate the gracious salvation which God grants penitent sinners.
Rejoicing in a God Who Saves
Understanding something of God’s greatness and our sin, we should always be joyfully and humbly thankful that the Triune God would seek and save us.
Rediscovering the Joy of Evangelism
We must rekindle our passion for evangelism by recognizing heaven’s partnership with us to bring sinners to repentance as we tirelessly seek out those God has prepared for salvation.
Feeling Godly Grief
We must seek to be zealous enough for God’s honor that we find ourselves selflessly grieving over those who reject the truth (with all its commensurate consequences) and sincerely rejoicing over those who repent.
The Fear of Not Having Enough
Money cannot provide the fulfillment and protection it appears to offer; those things come from God alone and must always be enjoyed by Christians as byproducts of pursuing him.
A Joyful December: Living Above the Clutter of Christmas
While our modern Christmas celebrations may increase problems and pressures, God’s Spirit can enable us to keep our hearts calm and focused on the incomparable value of knowing Christ.
Sorrow & Profound Celebrations
We will experience a variety of sorrows on earth while we await Christ’s return, but our pain is mitigated by our anticipation, and the many foretastes of the kingdom which God supplies.
A Life God Chooses to Bless
As we learn to think and live biblically we experience an increasing sense of joy in light of the security and significance that God grants us in Christ.
God's Instructions for Important Days
Though Christmas is a man made observance, joyfully celebrating Christ’s advent on December 25th stands in the great biblical tradition of pausing to ponder God’s incredible grace!
Rethinking Marriage as a Transcendent Joy
Our earthbound marriage have the transcendent opportunity to experience divine realities as we draw close to our spouses and reflect the divine harmony of love & submission.