In recent weeks, millions of people have been discussing this question: does Jesus still love Christians who have sex outside of marriage? You’re probably not aware of this conversation unless you’re following the current season of The Bachelorette. Now, you’re also probably wondering why an old preacher like me is[...]
“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Some version of this statement is attributed to Edmund Burke (1729-1797), George Santayana (1863-1952), and Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965). I think this statement is so often repeated because it’s based in truth; and it still resonates. Those words[...]
Lately I’ve been struck by the number of hyphenated-Christians emerging in the American Church. We hear the various religious views of Baptist or Presbyterian-Christians, Republican or Democrat-Christians, White or African-American Christians, and Male or Female-Christians. The most recent is LBTG-Christians. What? I guess that makes me a white-male-heterosexual-Southern Baptist-Christian. In[...]
“…though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart…having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18 Jesus’ death paid for our freedom, but we need to understand what Christian freedom entails. Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sin, He also set us[...]
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 In[...]
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’” Galatians 3:13 Have you ever told a lie, taken something that didn’t belong to you, or lost your temper? If so, then you’re guilty[...]
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 Every person is born with a sin nature, making us enemies of God. Those who reject this idea see no need for a[...]
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality…those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19–21 Throughout this series we’ve established that God created sex exclusively for marriage. We’ve also discussed how harmful it is to pursue sexual pleasure outside[...]
“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 Our cultural beliefs about sexuality are increasingly harmful. Most entertainment sends the message that casual sex is not a big deal. However, contemporary thought is[...]