Though the storm clouds of adversity grow darker, we can find comfort in knowing all things are going according to plan. These evil days are a wonderful opportunity to trust in God’s sovereign rule and purposes to ultimately bring glory to Himself, as He always has and always will. And in these dangerous and uncertain times, God has given us a great opportunity to…

The regions of the first-century world where the gospel was first preached were dominated primarily by the Greek mystery religions, along with Judaism. It would be impossible to conceive of a more hostile environment in which to preach the gospel and plant churches. But by God’s grace and power, sinners were converted and the church…

Sadly, the absence of spiritual fruit is one of the most defining characteristics of modern evangelicalism. While worldliness and doctrinal compromise are major contributors to this barrenness, the greatest corruptor is the massive number of unregenerate professing Christians who make up the church today. It is no wonder the church has so little…

There are times in the experience of every believer when life gets really hard; times when it seems impossible to “be anxious for nothing” so “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, (can) guard (our) hearts and (our) minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6a, 7). Yet it is in these seasons of sorrow and distress that we must be all the more disciplined in focusing our minds on…

The reason the apostle Paul was so effective in his laboring and striving was because he continuously submitted to the Holy Spirit’s control and providences. It is imperative that every believer, especially pastors and church leaders, follow his example so we, too, can…

We now live in a postmodern age that poses many unique threats to the evangelical church. Many pastors admit they are in crisis because of this. Evangelicalism—once defined by its commitment to doctrines and practices of the Protestant Reformation—has now become an amorphous spiritual movement whose only connection to the historic Christian faith is what is written on the doctrinal statement of individual churches: a document most…

Every faithful pastor and dedicated church leader will experience seasons of sorrow and betrayal. In the early days of Charles Spurgeon’s ministry, the pain of slander and scorn was so great that he was tempted to quit. His wife Susannah would often hide the morning newspaper to protect him from further insults. He described his melancholy this way…

As pastors and church leaders, we must set the example in praying “on behalf of all men,” but especially “for kings and all who are in authority” over us, regardless of how wicked they might be—even as Paul admonished Timothy to pray for the exceedingly wicked Roman emperor, Nero. Given the level of depravity we are forced to endure from the policies of our political rulers today, it is easy to develop a fierce animosity toward them. It is easy to see them as enemies to hate rather than love for the…

Perhaps like never before, human depravity is on full display in our country. As in the days of Noah, “the wickedness of man (is) great on the earth, and . . . every intent of the thoughts of his heart (is) only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). Every servant of Christ feels the sheer weight of this, especially those in church leadership who care for those who are deceived, depressed, and downtrodden. But over the course of…

That our infinitely holy God would condescend to our lowly estate to comfort us in our afflictions is an incomprehensible reality that should animate within us such profound humility that we fall on our face in breathless adoration. By His own testimony His very nature is defined as “goodness” that is manifested in His sovereign grace and…

The church at Ephesus flourished under the shepherding of faithful pastors. Unlike many churches today, the people who were part of that local body did not come to be entertained or enjoy the benefits of a religious social club. They came to worship in spirit and in truth and exhaust themselves for the sake of the gospel, regardless the cost. In Revelation 2:2-3 Christ commends them for their tireless labor in…

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”

Philippians 1:27