The “Free Grace” of Martin Luther

The Context of Luther Martin Luther was born in 1483 during a time when the Renaissance was permeating throughout all of Europe with the invention of Gutenburg’s printing press. He was born to a copper miner and grew up in Mansfield in the center of Germany’s mining industry. Luther originally went to the University of … Continue reading The “Free Grace” of Martin Luther →

The Marks of a Fruitful Church

In 1741, the great Jonathan Edwards first published his now-classic book The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God. In this important work, Edwards is analyzing and synthesizing all he’s experienced in the revivals of his day (chronicled most notably in A Narrative of Surprising Conversions and An Account of the Revival of Religion in … Continue reading The Marks of a Fruitful Church →

Glorify God in Your Work

Ecclesiastes 2:24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge … Continue reading Glorify God in Your Work →

Glorify God as Your Supreme Delight

Ecclesiastes 2:1 - I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. The preacher in Ecclesiastes was on a desperate search for meaning and satisfaction in this life. He had earlier hoped to find victory over the vanity of life through his worldly … Continue reading Glorify God as Your Supreme Delight →

Glorify God with your Body

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) There are few things as Christians that we need to reminded more … Continue reading Glorify God with your Body →

Glorify God in your Prayer Life

Matthew 6:6 - But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Every blog that I write this year will be built around the theme of our church this year: "For God's Glory." … Continue reading Glorify God in your Prayer Life →

Andrew Fuller: Balance in a Time of Extremes

Andrew Fuller was fully aware of the state of his denomination as he entered the pulpit. From the beginning of his pastoral ministry, Fuller set out to correct the many extremes that had overtaken the Baptists in his day. As noted earlier, the General Baptists by 1750 had almost dwindled to nothing because of the … Continue reading Andrew Fuller: Balance in a Time of Extremes →

Soli Deo Gloria: Why 501 Years later, the Reformation still Matters.

501 Years ago today, an Augustinian monk Martin Luther, nailed his famous 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Hoping to simply debate the matters which he addressed, little did Luther know that God was providentially moving to bring His church out darkness and back into the light (post tenebras … Continue reading Soli Deo Gloria: Why 501 Years later, the Reformation still Matters. →

Three Disciplines for Spiritual Formation

An essential part of any life is growth. Where growth is absent, death is abundant, and it is no different for the Christian life. In Ephesians 4:15, Paul writes, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." When Christians are born again through faith … Continue reading Three Disciplines for Spiritual Formation →

Kiffin, Knollys, and the Formation of Baptist Ecclesiology

William Kiffin was one of the most influential and outstanding of the Particular Baptist leaders in 17th century England. In the 1630’s around the age of 21, Kiffin began his sixty-year pastorate at the Devonshire Square Particular Baptist Church.[3] Kiffin’s ministry can be seen as one that was religiously radical, and politically moderate. Kiffin argued … Continue reading Kiffin, Knollys, and the Formation of Baptist Ecclesiology →