Studying this passage set me on fire for the lost. I pray that God does the same for you.

Until every passion, thought, and goal is consumed with a craving for God alone, we have not yet begun to live.

How to serve using your spiritual gifts

The word "mediocre" comes from a Latin word meaning "halfway to the peak." It is your choice whether you'll be halfway or sold out for Jesus Christ.

Pride will destroy a man or woman's life faster than any other sin. It is the must subtle and the most deadly. We can learn from Uzziah's failure in this area.

Are you blowing the trumpet of God's salvation for the lost people all around you?

Patience in God's eyes is much more than waiting for something. It is the trials of life sent from God to produce a holy and joyful people.

It's easy to relegate the trinity to theological manuals and nebulous concepts. But here we find the moving power of the trinity to change how we think and live.

We need an army of men and women who burn with conviction for the cross of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 7, a classic on the virgin brith, is rarely preached in the context of its own historical background. …(Continue Reading)

Yes, there is an eleventh commandment given by Jesus Himself. The greatest mark of a true Christian is his obedience to this command.

Avoid the life of the three-toed sloth and work hard for Jesus.

The book of Matthew calls us to total worship of Christ. Jesus as Messiah is more than a theological concept to be pondered, He is the King to be revered.

Every sickness, biting word, death of a loved one, or frustration about your future that gnaws at your heart is a painful blessing from God.

Jesus Christ will return in His Second Coming with great authority and judgment. …(Continue Reading)

This is the audio version of the video that can also be watched. I preached this at downtown Kalamazoo for a collection of homeless, well-to-do's, and collegians.

Studying for this message was a feast. No event is more vital to the life and proof of Christianity than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. …(Continue Reading)

Ten minutes before i was supposed to preach this message I hit "print" on my laptop and the printer jammed. …(Continue Reading)

An orchestrion is an amazing instrument. Invented in the 17th century, this strange-looking machine is a self-contained orchestra, and all you have to do is push the button. …(Continue Reading)

God's Spirit rocked downtown Kalamazoo this unforgettable night of the 10th of June. …(Continue Reading)

Elijah was one of those prophets who lived on the edge, doing nothing halfway.
…(Continue Reading)

Build a fence around your roof? Don't eat the buzzard but enjoy the cricket? …(Continue Reading)

Before I preached this message, a guy jumped up on the stage while the band was playing and started hopping up and down. …(Continue Reading)

Kalamazoo College is a picture of the future. Talk to college students and you are speaking with the men and women who will shape the culture and philosohpy of tomorow. …(Continue Reading)

Only an all-wise God uses brokenness for purposes far beyond our most creative imaginations! …(Continue Reading)

This guy showed up last night selling candy bars. I told him I'd love to buy one if he's give me five minutes of his time to talk about the most important thing on earth. …(Continue Reading)

People get confused over the method of evangelism versus the method. But this is a dangerous confusion because the method is entirely negotiable, but the message isn't. …(Continue Reading)

David's mighty men were not the kind of guys you'd want to meet in battle. Fierce, fast, and incredibly strong, these lion-slaying warriors were gifts from God. …(Continue Reading)

What should I live for? No question could be more important. Is it to share the gospel? Government reform? Social justice? Being a top achiever? Relgious fidelity?
…(Continue Reading)

In his book, Eleventh Month, Eleventh Hour, Eleventh Minute, which records the final 30 minutes of World War I, Joseph E. …(Continue Reading)

Some moments are unforgettable.

Your first home run.
Your first kiss.
Your first traffic ticket.
…(Continue Reading)

How would you respond if someone asked you, "What is your main purpose in life?" Many Christian-like answers would include responses like, social justice, persistent obedience, personal …(Continue Reading)

Questions tackled in this live Q&A session include:

* Do you believe that a unified church encompassing all denominations is a good thing?  …(Continue Reading)

This was a Q&A session I did for 10th-12th graders. Questions include: …(Continue Reading)

The questions this week were more diverse than a box of chocolates.
…(Continue Reading)

This is the mother of all minefields when it comes to theological quandries. Entire systems of theological thought have been built upon efforts to solve this apparent dilemma. …(Continue Reading)

Snow and ice storms in Michigan can be as persuasive as they are deadly! …(Continue Reading)

This is the first session of a four part series that trains people in how to study the Bible devotionally, and how to share this with others, whether that be with a friend, a child, a small group …(Continue Reading)

"Be like Jesus!" is thrown around like a Mom telling Patrick, "Eat your vegetables!" Sure, it's a good thing to strive for, but do we really know what we mean when we tell Chr …(Continue Reading)

This live Q&A session happened during half time of the 2009 Superbowl, Steelers versus Cardinals.

Collegians asked the following questions:  …(Continue Reading)

This session quickly overviews the entire study process up to sharing your study with someone else (person-to-person or small group). …(Continue Reading)

The questions this week were as wide as they were deep! Questions include:  …(Continue Reading)

I like apples. This one is a Gala. I’m sure you’ve heard the ancient English proverb, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But make sure you take good aim."
…(Continue Reading)

Questions submitted last week were hugely varied and excellent. …(Continue Reading)

Temptation, like junk mail, is simply an invitation. It says, “Hey! Would you like to sin?”
…(Continue Reading)

I have never tried to impersonate Satan before. He's not the kind of guy you want to model your life after. …(Continue Reading)

I preached from this passage before but this message is further developed and focuses singly on the incredible mercy of God.  …(Continue Reading)

When God puts on skin, the impact is amazing, humbling, liberating, authenticating, and life-changing...

When our worship is not consumed with the person of God, our worship will either be stifled or distracting.
…(Continue Reading)

Legalism = finding your identity, satisfaction, or justification in your performance.
Liberalism = finding your identity, satisfaction, or justification in your independence. …(Continue Reading)

Sometimes we feel like the straw-brained Scarecrow on Wizard of Oz when an intellectual skeptic from an impressive school asks us a hard question, or when a scientific evolutionist start …(Continue Reading)

There was a day when all warfare happened nose to nose. You could look into the eyes of your assailant as you shielded your heart from his blows and hacked at him with your sword. …(Continue Reading)

And after it’s too late, people discover that self obsession is the fastest path to misery and destruction. …(Continue Reading)

All sin is nothing more, nothing less than a reversal of the God and creation role. …(Continue Reading)

The opportunity to influence nations and cultures supersedes any period in past history.  Advanced communication methods and travel outrun the apostle Paul’s and Peter’s day so far that we can li …(Continue Reading)

• By knowledge the atomic bomb was created and around 200,000 Japanese people were incinerated, melted, or died of radiation exposure.

…(Continue Reading)

It's one thing to give people a list of how-to's on missional living and hope they will do it. …(Continue Reading)

Wearing clothing is more than a cultural phenomenon or social structure. …(Continue Reading)

One day my daughter asked me why ancient artists made Jesus' head glimmer like a fluorescent light bulb. …(Continue Reading)

$8 could buy you 15 organic apples or 25 fruit trees for farmers in Honduras to grow and sell fruit at their local market.
…(Continue Reading)

Some days, I like pretending that I can keep God all safe and snug in this little box. It makes me feel safe.
…(Continue Reading)

Whether it’s been used for good or bad, any honest person would agree that the influence of this book is nothing short of incredible.
…(Continue Reading)