A person who has a Christian conversion experience can never afterward lose his way and suffer condemnation – or at least that’s what TV and radio evangelists tell us. But the inspired writer Jude says otherwise.
Speaking the Truth in Love
Speaking the Truth in Love
Sermons by David Wright (Page 17)
Every saint must be a servant. Every member must be a minister. A ministry is an intentional and regular practice of my God-given gifts. But how do I identify the ministry gifts the Lord has blessed me with?
The number of people going to church or even claiming Christian faith is in sharp decline. Does the church bear any responsibility for this unsettling trend?
We generally think of “ministry” in terms of paid church servants or church programs. But isn’t everyone expected to have a ministry (Eph. 4:12)?
One of the most popular religious beliefs in the U.S. is “once saved, always saved.” Anyone who has had any sort of experience with Christ (no matter how shallow or fleeting) is guaranteed an eternal home in heaven. But the dynamic little book of Jude plainly says otherwise (Jude 1:4-7).
The Bible says that whoever claims to abide in Jesus “ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6). So how did he “walk” or live his life?
Overuse has diminished the meaning of the beautiful name Christian. People talk about Christian nations, Christian universities, Christian radio stations, and so on. But the word “disciple” has retained its freshness – and its challenge.
Jude intended to write a letter to the church about the salvation all Christians share in. But the Spirit of Christ vetoed his plan. An emergency situation called for a letter of a very different sort (Jude 1:1-4).
It felt like the worst day in their lives. Cleopas and his companion walked along the road to Emmaus, discussing the cross and looking sad. And then Jesus himself joined the two disciples (Luke 24:13-35)
Solomon assumed the throne of Israel when he was young and inexperienced. When he asked God for wisdom, the Lord abundantly blessed him with insight. But the king didn’t apply his great understanding to his own personal life.