by JD Greear When I was in seminary, one of my professors said that Romans 4:5 was, in his estimation, the most important verse in the whole Bible. That’s a bold claim, but I’m inclined to agree with him. Because if you get Romans 4:5, you get the gospel. But if you don’t grasp what Paul is saying, chances are you’ve wrapped Christian language around a system of works. It all hinges on one word: credited. “To the one who... Read more
Failure to risk our lives to the fullest potential for the kingdom of God is as wicked as the most egregious violations of the laws of God. Read more
The most impactful sermon is not the one developed solely in the cloistered walls of the preacher’s study. But one that captures the heartbeat of God for the sufferer birthed through the preacher’s time in prayer, focused study of the Bible, and clear thinking that surfaced from extensive analysis of the problem. Read more
There may seem to be more commonality between Judaism and Christianity in the popular imagination. Nevertheless, exclusivity or inclusivity of one faith has direct bearing on others. How evangelicals perceive Islam and God defines how evangelicals should also perceive Judaism and God. Read more
Time continues to fly by as we go about our lives. As another year is left behind us, it is a helpful exercise for us to look back on the trends and events of 2015 so that we may remember, reflect, and resolve for a new year ahead of us. Read more
by Chris Tomlin Who is this Jesus? He is the King whose Kingdom the Lord has established forever. (2 Samuel 7:12) He has deeper courage than David, (Luke 19:51) greater wisdom than Solomon, (Luke 11:31) and stronger faith than Elijah. (Matthew 4:1-11) He is the Son to be given, the child to be born. (Isaiah 9:6) He is Immanuel—God with His people. (Isaiah 9:19, 6:13) He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of... Read more
by Chris Tomlin Bethlehem was not only little in size, it was also little in stature. The Lord said that from Bethlehem, which was small in Judah, the King would come to Israel. (Micah 5:2) It is the way of the Lord to make much out of little. The King of all creation was born in a stable in an insignificant town to illustrate the glorious truth that Christ comes to the lowly. What does this mean for us?... Read more
by Chris Tomlin Christmas and Easter belong together; they are two sides of the same coin. We can’t make sense of Christmas without the Cross, and without Christmas, there is no body to resurrect. Jesus was born for a purpose greater than just the words He spoke. He came to do something. He came to establish His Kingdom by way of a cross and an empty tomb. Jesus Christ was born so that He could be “betrayed with a... Read more
by Peter Leithart Human beings are temporal creatures, but our experience of time isn’t merely of the relentless tick-tock of clock time. Time has quality as well as duration. We can spend an hour waiting for a late bus, or we can spend an hour absorbed in a book or a lively conversation. By the clock, it’s the same time, but our experience is very different. Our experience of duration is very different. Time is always socially shaped. The present... Read more
by Chris Tomlin “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.” The birth of Jesus was so humble and intimate. There was nothing noticeably unusual about him or his parents, nothing that would attract people to Him. (Isaiah 53:2) And yet, all these years later, the significance of His birth is still celebrated around the world. Why? Because Christmas is the story of God taking compassion on His creation... Read more
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