Category Archives: Christian Life

Praying for Paris

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This is not the time for theological pontification about the appalling terrorist attacks that killed or injured nearly 500 people in Paris less than two days ago.

Mike Evans, who has lived and ministered in France since 1963, suggests that Christians should respond in the following ways:-

Mourn with those who mourn

Families have lost loved ones.  Many individuals have suffered life-changing injuries.  Pray for the churches in the Paris area, as they reach out to the victims of these horrific attacks.  …

The reduced Screwtape

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In ‘The Screwtape Letters’ C. S. Lewis brilliantly conveys important truths about Christian life and experience by imagining what advice a senior ‘devil’ might offer to a junior one.

A while ago, Andy Naselli posted a one-sentence summary of each of these letters (note that the ‘patient’ becomes a Christian between letters 1 and 2:-

  1. Make him preoccupied with ordinary, “real” life—not arguments or science.
  2. Make him disillusioned with the church by highlighting people he self-righteously thinks are strange or hypocritical.
…

Signs of humility

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From Jeremy Taylor, Works, Vol 5:-

  1. The humble man trusts not so much to his own discretion in important matters, as to that of his friends and spiritual guides
  2. he does not pertinaciously follow his own will, nor murmur against commands, nor is too inquisitive into the reasons of them
  3. he lives in compliance with public customs without affectation
  4. he is meek, and patiently bears injuries
  5. is a lover of good and wise men
  6. is no censurer of others
  7. fears when he is commended
  8. gives no pert answers
  9. refuses the temptations of offices and honors
  10. amends his faults with thankfulness
  11. is ingenuous and open
  12. ready to do good offices, even to his slanderers
  13. contented to be the object of suspicion, provided he be really innocent before God.
…

Phil 2:19-30 – Best supporting act – sermon notes

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Text – Philippians 2:19-30

When the BAFTAs and the Oscars are held, there are awards for best film, best director, best screenplay, best music, best costume design, best make-up and hair, best leading actor and actress, best grip, best best boy, and, of course, best supporting act.

As Christians, we are used to speaking in glowing terms of heroes of the faith such as Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Billy Graham.  But we’re here tonight to consider two nominations for ‘best supporting act’. …

Simplicity

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What does it mean to adopt a simpler lifestyle?  Richard Foster suggests a number of aspects:-

1.  Simplicity means unity of heart and singleness of purpose.  Our one desire is to obey Christ in all things.  Our one purpose is to glorify him in all things.  We have only one use for money – to advance his kingdom.  Jesus taught us to have a ‘single’ eye, Mt 6:22.

2.  Simplicity means joy in God’s good creation. …

The doctrine of Christ’s return affects everything in the Christian life

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Peter Lewis (The Glory of Christ, 400) reminds us that the doctrine of Christ’s return affects everything in the Christian life. It:-

  1. encourages us in daily godliness, 1 Thess 1:10; 2:13; 3:13; 5:23; Tit 2:11-14.
  2. provides a focus for all church life and worship, 1 Cor 1:7; 11:26; Heb 10:25.
  3. gives us confidence in spiritual warfare, Rom 16:20; 1 Cor 6:3; 2 Thess 2:8-12; Rom 13:11-13; 1 Thess 5:2-8.
  4. Comforts us in times of persecution, Rom 8:18-25; 2 Thess 1:6-10.
…

The Puritan path of piety

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In mapping the path of piety (that is to say, godliness), the Puritans focused on four particular areas:-

  1. the first steps – conviction and conversion, leading to assurance;
  2. the fight – against the world, the flesh, and the devil;
  3. the fellowship – communion with God through prayer, and with other Christians through ‘conference’ (talking and sharing);
  4. the finish – dying well, in faith and hope, with all preparations made and a clear and quiet conscience as one prepares for the final momentous meeting with the Father and the Son.
…

The heart

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1.  To be guarded vigilantly, Prov 4:23.
2.  God desires inward truth, Psa 51:6.
3.  God looks upon, 1 Sam 16:7.
4.  God calls for heart-service, not lip-service, Mt 15:8.
5.  The heart is the cause of all our problems, and salvation begins here, Eze 36:26.…

Gospel spirituality

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What does gospel (that is to say, evangelical and reformed) spirituality look like?  Peter Adam writes:-

1. Mediator

Christ is the mediator of the revelation of God, so this spirituality is Christ-centred, responding with faith in Jesus Christ, and especially to his saving death and resurrection.

2. Revealer

Christ has revealed the Father, so this spirituality is that of trust in God our Father, his love and kindness in Christ, and his sovereign and providential rule over everything.…

Signs of genuine repentance

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Jared Wilson offers the following as characteristic of genuine repentance:-

1. We name our sin as sin and do not spin it or excuse it, and further, we demonstrate “godly sorrow,” which is to say, a grief chiefly about the sin itself, not just a grief about being caught or having to deal with the consequences of sin.

2. We actually confessed before we were caught or the circumstantial consequences of our sin caught up with us.…