Countering Celebrity Christianity

Last updated on: December 9, 2015 at 10:38 am By Jim Erwin

December 9, 2015 Year C Luke 7:18-30 We hear often about celebrities. Celebrities have a paparazzi who publicize their every move. They attract the attention of everyone. They rack up followers on social media outlets. People listen to Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber just as they would a teacher. Even political celebrities like Donald Trump attract people’s attention – especially of his controversial comments about Muslims recently which have been widely criticized. John the Baptist was a celebrity prophet. People... Read more

2 Timothy 3:10-17 Personal Advice for Living the Christian Life

Last updated on: December 8, 2015 at 10:00 pm By Jim Erwin

2 Timothy 3:10-17 Personal Advice for Living the Christian Life The Bible teaches that we will encounter different kinds of trouble. Yet, at the same time, the Bible teaches that we can overcome this trouble. I want to list various ways that help overcome trouble in your life. Paul closes this chapter by giving Timothy some very personal advice. Paul bases his appeal to Timothy on his own experience. Timothy is called to turn away from the false teachers and... Read more

2 Timothy 3:1-9 Difficult Times Are Ahead

Last updated on: December 8, 2015 at 9:48 pm By Jim Erwin

2 Timothy 3:1-9 Difficult Times Are Ahead I don’t know about you, but I have seen many changes in the religious landscape in the last fifteen years, and the changes have been increasing. When I entered the ministry, the Baby Boomers were entering the church. To accommodate them, churches built buildings, built bigger buildings, and made an a la carte approach to ministry: Celebrate Recovery, Singles groups, needs-based ministries like Divorce Care. Yet over the course of the last fifteen... Read more

2 Timothy 2:1-26 Pictures of a Christian Minister

Last updated on: December 8, 2015 at 5:42 pm By Jim Erwin

2 Timothy 2:1-26 Pictures of a Christian Minister EIGHT PICTURES OF A CHRISTIAN MINISTER 1. The Manager (2 Tim. 2:1–2) “You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1–2, HCSB) The ministry is not something we get for ourselves and keep to ourselves. We are stewards of... Read more

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Preparing for the Day of the Lord

Last updated on: December 8, 2015 at 3:21 pm By Jim Erwin

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Preparing for the Day of the Lord This past week was Thanksgiving. In our home, that means that we go to my parent’s home. We eat a full Thanksgiving meal. We sit around, play games, watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on NBC (followed by the National Dog Show) and talk about life. At some point, we come together to prepare the Christmas tree for Christmas. Everyone might have their rituals on Thanksgiving, but everyone knows that Thanksgiving... Read more

Triple Alliance of Egypt, Syria, and Iraq

Last updated on: June 9, 2018 at 3:51 pm By Jim Erwin

Triple Alliance of Egypt, Syria, and Iraq There will be a triple alliance of Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. You may not believe that today. Yet, the Bible reveals that this will be the case. Isaiah 19:19-25 Today, when we look at the Middle East, we see that Egypt, Syria, and Iraq are enemies of the state of Israel. Egypt, Syria, and Iraq form a triple alliance against Israel. The Bible prophesies that these same three countries will form a triple... Read more

Patient Hope

Last updated on: December 7, 2015 at 12:00 pm By Jim Erwin

December 7, 2015 Year C Romans 8:22-25 Today marks the anniversary of the tragedy at Pearl Harbor. Japan destroyed the naval base in a surprise attack. This eventually drew the United States into Word War II. It would take hope – patient hope – which would eventually help the Allies win the war. This same patient hope is what we need when we are dealing with another enemy – death. This passage in Romans speaks about the desire all of... Read more

Days of Elijah

Last updated on: December 5, 2015 at 3:29 pm By Jim Erwin

December 5, 2015 Year C Malachi 4:1-6 The Day of Elijah comes before the Day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5). The Day of the Lord is the day of judgment (Malachi 4:1). The Day of Elijah is the day of salvation (Malachi 4:2). Elijah came to point people to God. He left on a chariot of fire into heaven. Malachi predicts that Elijah would return before the Day of the Lord. When Jesus, He said John the Baptist was Elijah... Read more

Turning Doubts Into Praise

Last updated on: December 4, 2015 at 10:28 am By Jim Erwin

December 4, 2015 Year C Luke 1:68-79 God is in the business of turning our doubts into praise. Zechariah and Elizabeth were told that she will have a son, who would be named John. Unlike Mary, Zechariah doubted God’s Word. The consequence was severe. For the next nine months, Zechariah could not say a word. This forced him to listen to God more intently. Nine months and eight days later, they name the boy. While the people thought that his name should... Read more

Love People and Use Money

Last updated on: June 13, 2018 at 11:14 am By Jim Erwin

Love People and Use Money Love People and Use Money is a simple thought reflection from Malachi 3:5-12 that explains how one can love people and use money. December 3, 2015 Year C Malachi 3:5-12 It is easy to get off the right path. We don’t pay attention on the road and the vehicle can end up straying far away from our intended destination. If a ship moves just one degree away, the ship may land miles away from the... Read more

What Christian group is known for meeting in silence without formal clergy?