Jesus is NOT the Reason for the Season
If you remove all the presents, the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, the tinsel, the lights, the family get-togethers, the roast lunch/dinner can you still celebrate Christmas? If the answer is no then Christmas is not a Christ-centred occasion. In this paradigm, Christ becomes the accessory not the essence of a tradition that feigns genuine religion but in reality is in total opposition to it. It is my contention that the average Christian seeks to squeeze Jesus into the Christmas story when in reality it has never really been about Him. It is apparent that most Christians believe that a five minute Bible reading in Matthew and Luke can miraculously transform this entirely secular tradition into a spiritual occasion which pleases God. The great tragedy of Christmas is the in... Read more
Confronting the Issue
"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." This blog is a plea to all God-fearing, gospel-loving, Bible-believing Christians. It is my intention to biblically rebuke those who "cannot" or will not confront other believers in love on any issue that severs the ties of fellowship and partnership. On the whole, Christianity appears to fail miserably when it comes to the matter of confrontation. The typical Christian is either unwilling to confront another believer altogether, or their confrontation is harsh, abrasive and loveless. Whichever the position, it is WRONG! I... Read more
Hollywood in the Pulpit
How do you determine the quality of a sermon or devotional thought? I know some Christians who assess the preaching content based upon the level of humour used; others measure its success by the inclusion of illustrations and anecdotes. Some pre-judge the message based upon the preacher's personality; others gauge the success of a preacher's message on the number of people who respond to the invitation at the end of the service. It is my contention that all of these reasons are flawed and have done tremendous damage to the preacher, the ministry of the pulpit and the person sitting in the pew. Personality does NOT determine accuracy: Truth is absolute and it cannot be viewed through the lenses of personality or style. Truth transcends all of these human attributes and descends to us on the... Read more
A Community-Focused Christianity
One of the indicators of genuine conversion is the presence of a desire to reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This reality is seen in the life of the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:20), the woman at the well (John 4:29), the demoniac of Gedara (Mark 5:20), a couple of unnamed blind men (Matthew 9:31) and many others. "I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread" is a well-known phrase within Christian circles and it is one I appreciate. This simple sentence conveys the idea that Christians are not trying to be some 'condescending supernatural beings' who have somehow earned their salvation, they are ordinary, 'run of the mill' people who have been changed by an extraordinary God. 'I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread.' Sadly, some believers (... Read more
