“Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores” (Luke 16:21). “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Rom. 13:9). The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus seems to teach this commandment only through a negative example. The rich man did not care for his neighbor. But there is in the story also a […]
“Strive to enter through the narrow door” (Luke 13:24). Jesus describes the door to heaven as narrow, and by the end of the Gospel it becomes possible to measure it exactly. The narrow door is the exact width of the holy cross. Another way of putting it is that the narrow door is fourteen words […]
“For this I was appointed a preacher” (1 Tim. 2:7). Three reasons pastors don’t have an easy job: First, the devil and world (not to mention the pastor’s own sinful flesh) are dead set against the repentance and Gospel he preaches, despite containing the most loving message ever heard. Second, sometimes members of the congregation […]
“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). God gives us what we need one day at a time. He is determined to teach us trust. He calls us to trust that He will provide again tomorrow as He did today. In the Old Testament He instructed the Israelites to gather just enough manna […]
In spiritual matters, there is a danger of hearing God scolding us when He is really not. Of thinking that He is disappointed in us when, in fact, He is speaking to us so very gently and kindly. Such, I think, is the case with “O ye of little faith.” Sermons on this concept tell […]