Our total depravity makes it impossible for us to seek God and walk in his ways. We need God to make us alive spiritually through his grace. God chooses to make people alive, calling them to salvation in an effectual way....

We often forget how transcendent God is, and try to think of him and related him as if he was on our level. We need to see God as high and lifted up and our hopelessness before him, unless he makes a way for our salvation. ...

Introduction Big idea: Be stirred to a proper worshipful response as you see and reflect on God’s redemptive plan for the nations. Be humbled by God's sovereign plan and power (11:25-27). ...

This is the second book in C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy, but it can be read stand-alone—in fact, I read it before I read the rest of the trilogy. Like Lewis’ Narnia series, this book feels a bit like biblical fan fiction. Though not technically...

Truly good, God-honoring works flow from regeneration and are God's creation. God makes those who were formerly dead alive in him by grace, and he has prepared the good works that his new creations will walk in....

This passage looks at God’s glorious grace in rescuing the spiritually dead from the course of the world and its ruler. He makes the dead come to life and leads them on paths of goodness....

God, not because of anything man has or will do, but purely by His grace, has chosen to save some. This should give the believer assurance, and empower our evangelism. Romans 3:1; 8:28-29; 9; 10, Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:4-6 2 Timothy 1:9, ...

Main idea: Fear God, and do what seems best.  Remember the GospelSeek to please the LordExamine your heartGet wisdomCommit your works to the LordKnow the limits of your decisions...

Have you ever been in a place where it feels like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel? In times of trouble, do you ever think to yourself, why me? Can we really count on God to be there for us in our times of calamity? When we feel like we...

Five insights into making God’s sovereignty the foundation of persistent joy. You can usually bet that when the season changes, the weather changes accordingly. Certain weather is appropriate and fitting for certain seasons. In Ecclesias...

The use of the term ‘grace’ is second nature in Christian language and thought. The frequency and ease with which we talk about ‘grace’ speaks to two observations: That ‘grace’ is fundamental to the theology which Scri...

Main Idea: Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God as you follow Christ in suffering. How can you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God?1 Peter 5:6–7 Why must you...

Many of you know that Brian and Michelle Sayers had an older daughter who developed cerebral palsy due to complication during and after a home birth. This story of trial, suffering, and God’s grace was written by Michelle just three weeks be...

Rejoice in the confirmation (12–14) Recognize the real danger (15–18) Remain faith-full (19) ...

What is God’s relationship to our tears and sorrow in our own suffering and affliction? Psalm 56:8 says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” God knows our suffering and tears. He sees...

Big idea: Three descriptions of a Christian with the right mindset about suffering Joy is focusedMatthew 5:10–12 Grief is focusedJohn...

Introduction None of us enjoy going through trials and suffering. Some of our trials are the result of our sins and internal struggle against our flesh. Much of our suffering is the result of living in a b...

Tragedy Turned into Bitterness Tragedy followed this poor woman. And she blamed it all on God. She and her husband and two sons left their hometown and went to a foreign country to escape famine. Instead of a temporary exile, they remain...

Big Idea: Take courage, at the second coming of Christ redemption possessed will be redemption fully realized. Context Where does this fit on the timeline of the end times/ How does th...

The Entrance of Death Genesis 2:7 Romans 5:12 Mark 16:2–7 The Entrance of the Resurrection Romans 5:10–11 The Completion ...

Big Idea: Christ has been, is, and will always be preeminent. Love it and flourish, or fight it and wither. How Christ has been preeminent How Christ will be preeminent  ...

Big Idea: Submit every part of your life to Christ as Son of God and Son of Man The Dilemma Raised The Doctrine Delivered The Old Testament clearly recognizes the suprem...

Big idea: While living in two kingdoms, be sure to give God his due. The Refusal to Give God His Due Partnership with political and moral enemies Seeking to destroy Jesus Refusal t...

Introduction Two considerations Misplaced Expectations Worthy of Praise and Unworthy of Rejection Big Idea: Follow and Worship the Humble and Hated King ...

There are things I have been praying about for well over 20 years. Praying faithfully, fervently, and regularly. So far, I have seen nothing to indicate God has heard or is acting response to these requests. I see no hint of any activity that woul...

We had planned for our California vacation for months, back to one of our favorite spots, a small coastal town in the central part of the state. A charming small motel, just across the street from the ocean, big red Adirondack chairs facing the su...

Luke addresses three kinds of thinking Big Idea: Luke tells us the account of an unlikely convert that beckons us to receive Christ and find others who are unlikely to receive him. An U...

Big Idea: Jesus calls us to be confident and faithful in prayer until He returns Don’t be discouraged in prayer Ephesians 6:18-20 Be confident in the Judge of Heaven and Earth Genesis 18:25...

Ephesians is a wonderful letter from the Apostle Paul to the believers in Ephesus. It describes God’s loving plan to make a people for Himself in Christ and then describes how people should relate to one another in the church. Our prayer is that...

Sermon Notes: Main Idea: A useful life for God’s Kingdom is marked by a diminishing anxiety over material needs and a growing trust of the Father.1. Life is about more than you think 2. Anxiety over material needs is unreaso...

“God wouldn’t bring me here just to die . . . would he?” I typed these words as a newlywed huddled in a concrete house, buffeted by a typhoon on a remote Pacific island. Only a couple months earlier I had left my bride for a place I’d neve...

Sermon notes: Big Idea: God saves His King and by extension His people 1. The King is Abandoned by His God v.1-2 The Kings Certainty in God’s Saving power is Contrasted with His Circum...

Sermon Notes: Paul Tripp’s healthy fears Fear of the LordImminent ThreatAppropriate Concern Three ways God’s Sovereign presence can replace your sinful fears. ...

“This is the will of God for me, and I will worship Him in it.” Sheila uttered these words through painful tears as she lost her husband Malcolm at the age of 33 after a three-month bout with cancer. That was 47 years ago. Her confidence in Go...

After a slough of rainy, snowy, Spokane-wintery Sundays, there was one in early February that looked like spring. It was Superbowl Sunday, but the sunshine was so alluring that our family headed out for a hike before settling down to watch the gam...

I am super excited about the topic for our upcoming Transform Conference! Dr. Stuart Scott is going to help us all develop a better understanding of what God’s will is, and how we are to seek to live it out faithfully. Here is my attempt to give...

While drinking coffee at Siam Mall with Alcides (missionary pastor in the Adeje church) on our recent visit to Tenerife, he asked me to share any life advice with the two youth who accompanied him. I responded, “persevere!” I saw the ...