Does church attendance even matter?

While being at worship services *absolutely* matters, I would argue that mandating attendance misses the mark. Usually, there’s something deeper that’s causing the issue that needs to be addressed first.

Take care of that, and the attendance takes care of itself.

A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” Jesus didn’t just talk to people — He also talked to God.

His conversation with the Father in John 17 is remarkable for its insight. Jesus knows that His followers will eventually experience persecution, and He prays fervently that they would hold fast.

Besides Mr. Rogers, the lawyer from Luke 10 is probably the most famous individual to ask “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus saw through the question, and flipped it on its head, asking instead, “Which person proved to be a neighbor?”

Isn’t this the only question that really matters? Our neighborly attitude shouldn’t be limited by culture or race, but by bandwidth. In other words, am I showing kindness and love and charity to as many people as possible, or only those I feel are worthy of it?

Grace can be a pretty tricky subject, but it’s relatively straightforward when you view it through the lens of the Old Testament. Or, more specifically, the wilderness wanderings.

God’s demonstration of grace in the world of the Exodus is a good parallel with our grace under the Cross. Rather than run from it, we should live desperately inside of it.

A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” The second half of the upper room scene in John’s gospel is rich, comforting, and thick. It’s filled with grand expositions on the Trinity, encouragement concerning the Holy Spirit, and explanations about the coming persecution.

Oh, and the fact that Jesus is coming back. That’s pretty important too.

A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” Jesus’ conversation with His Apostles in the Upper Room covers a lot of ground: the Holy Spirit, Judas’ betrayal, love, and the persecution to come.

In addition to that, there are various subplots worth considering, such as the simple fact that Jesus washed Judas’ feet in John 13 — despite knowing that Judas would betray Him.

What can we learn from this conversation in an upper room nearly 2,000 years ago?

Since God is our Creator, it can be difficult to know how best to honor Him. He does give us the instructions (i.e. the Bible), but Micah 6:8 also gives us a great outline: do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.

Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks (obviously).

But split the word in half, add a few other words in the middle, and you have a totally different understanding of the word that remains true to the holiday.

Instead of a day of thanks giving, it’s a day of thanks that leads to giving.

The holiday season reminds us to be thankful, which, in turn, spurs us towards greater benevolence and charity to others. This is an attitude we should deliberately manifest in our lives as much as possible.

In a world that constantly struggles over Biblical interpretations, a case is made by many for one or the other.

Instead of a binary interpretation of the Text though, is it possible we can have a little bit of both? A staunch obedience to God’s Word, as well as the wisdom to read it in a modern-day context?

A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” Normally, these classes focus on conversations that Jesus has with others. In this case, this conversation takes place between a blind man and the Pharisees.

It’s remarkably blunt and one that backs the Pharisees into a corner in the same way that Jesus did. Prayerfully, we’ll have the same boldness.