3 Signs of Maturity in Christ

When I was in college, my schedule was full of events and activities with my church and campus ministry. Being on the leadership teams of both meant I was occupied Monday through Sunday. Though this characterized one of my busiest seasons, spiritually, I often look back at those years as my most enjoyable, spiritually. But […]

Called to be Faithful, not Fruitful

“Faithful, not Fruitful.” Back in 2013 at The Gospel Coalition National Conference, I heard Matt Chandler say this line in reference to the pastor’s call (and any Christian’s, for that matter). He gave a charge to those of us in ministry that our primary goal is not to work to see fruit, but to simply remain faithful […]

When I don’t want to worship…

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to preach to our whole congregation at Sunset Church. While at other times I might consider this a privilege, the past week in preparation felt more like torture. A large reason was because I was assigned the dreaded text of Romans 9. While I was fairly confident in my ability […]

"You received without paying; give without pay"

“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them… ‘go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.’” – Matt 10:5-8 This passage comes […]

"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

When Jesus said these words in Luke 5:31-32, the Pharisees were calling him out for eating with tax collectors and sinners, making himself unclean by eating with those who were religiously unclean. Set in the context of a collection of accounts of Jesus calling people to follow Him as disciples, this was Jesus’ final statement […]