Who is the Seeker, Lover, Elector, Redeemer I wonder?

Continuing the theme of turning the parables right-side-up again, here’s the latest from the King’s English on “The Pearl of Great Price”… …. Recently a friend emailed me with a question.  He’s not yet a Christian but he’s been attending bible studies for a while.  The previous night they had used Christian-sounding language that he [...]

Read Full Post »

Jesus – the Good Samaritan

I posted this on the King’s English today…. It’s one of the most famous stories Jesus ever told.  A beautiful stranger helps a man left for dead when his own people disdain and forsake him.  Those who ignore his sufferings are Levites and Priests – the holiest of the holy.  The stranger is a Samaritan [...]

Read Full Post »

Happy Friday

  Trim from Petey Boy on Vimeo.

Read Full Post »

Subterranean Terror – repost

The first human emotion after the fall was fear – Genesis 3:10 The first human emotion after birth is fear. The most common biblical command is ‘Fear not’. Which gives you the idea that fear is a major part of our emotional life as fallen creatures.  But of course, we hide it under a thousand [...]

Read Full Post »

Sermon on the Book of Job

Sermon Audio What consolation do we offer suffering people? Worse things happen at sea?  Count your blessings?  Lightning doesn’t strike twice?  At least you’re not being shredded by industrial machinery and flung into an acid bath? God’s got a plan?  Gotta keep trusting? Here’s my favourite:  “Nothing a resurrection won’t fix.”  Now that’s consolation. Job [...]

Read Full Post »

Getting out of the blame game: A sermon on Luke 6:37-42

Sermon Audio Powerpoint We love to judge. George Carlin once noted a universal rule of the road: Everyone who drives slower than you is an idiot.  And everyone who drives faster is a maniac. To the speeding driver, everyone’s an idiot.  To the slow driver, everyone’s a maniac. But one rule applies to all:  My speed is just [...]

Read Full Post »

What a hymn!

Have you heard this one before?  I’ve just come across it.  Wonderful words! 1. Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine; Living with Jesus, a new life divine; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine. Moment by moment I’m kept in His love; Moment by moment I’ve [...]

Read Full Post »

God in the Old Testament

I’ve had many discussions under the title of “Christ in the Old Testament.”  But perhaps the issues would be seen more clearly if we labelled the debate: “God in the Old Testament.” And actually, the fact that those two titles sound quite different tells you everything you need to know about the dire Christlessness of [...]

Read Full Post »

Happy Friday

Read Full Post »

Ten common misconceptions about grace

‘Isn’t it wonderful that we’re now under grace?’ they enthuse. ‘Sure is,’ you say. And then they explain what they mean by ‘grace’ and you wonder what it is they’ve really found themselves ‘under’. Here are 10 common misconceptions. 1. Wahey!  Isn’t it great that God has lowered the bar?  He used to care about [...]

Read Full Post »

Jesus – Pioneer of the New Birth

In the King’s English I have a chapter on “Ye must be born again.”  Here’s a key paragraph: At Christmas, Jesus was born into flesh-life.  On Good Friday He put flesh-life to death.  On Easter Sunday, He rose up to Spirit-life. Therefore on Easter morning Jesus was born again.  He’s the One to go through flesh-life [...]

Read Full Post »

A portrait of incarnation

Jesus went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,  but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.  During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake… Jesus said [...]

Read Full Post »

Acts 6:1-7 sermon (and Walter Brueggemann video)

Here’s my Acts 6:1-7 sermon audio. But this two and a half minute video from Walter Brueggemann says what my sermon says far better and more concisely. My sermon text is below…

Read Full Post »

We are not saved so that God might love us. We are saved because God loves us.

From the latest King’s English post: God does not send His Son in order that He might love the world.  It is not that God can love the world once the Son has redeemed it a bit.  No, in all its darkness and unbelief God loves the world andtherefore He gives His Son.  We are not saved so that God might love us.  We [...]

Read Full Post »

Two Articles to Help You Understand the Human Condition

Shame and Strength by Emma Do you ever feel ashamed? Not embarrassed.  Not ‘oh dear, that was awkward’.  Not discomfort. Shame.  The sort of word you lift out of the vocab box with kid gloves.   The real deal.  That deep, burning in the pit of your stomach, I want to turn myself inside-out and climb into the [...]

Read Full Post »

The Sermon on the Mount according to the King’s English

Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are they that mourn… Blessed are the meek… Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness… Blessed are the merciful… Blessed are the pure in heart… Blessed are the peacemakers… Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake… The salt of the earth Ye are [...]

Read Full Post »

Happy Friday

Sometimes I worry that my fascination with looping betrays a lurking modalism deep within. Then I think, no, it’s recapitulation baby. Bring it on. Language warning for Reggie… More looping here.

Read Full Post »

Not receiving it – receiving Him

“I preach grace” says the earnest Pastor.  And deep down you suspect he means “I preach law with a smile.” Such pastors often confess to problems in communicating their ‘grace gospel’.  You see, strangely enough, enquirers have difficulty with the concept of ‘appropriating grace’.  The preacher says ‘salvation is a free gift.’  They, naturally, wonder [...]

Read Full Post »