In my last sermon before I went on vacation, I told the story from Luke 7 about the sinful woman who crashed the Pharisees’ dinner with Jesus and honored Jesus by anointing his feet with her tears when she saw how Simon the Pharisee was publicly shaming Jesus (read Luke 7:36-50 if you have no idea what I’m talking about).  Near the end of that passage, Jesus says “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven– for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”  This incident is just one of many where, in the end, the proud religious man is challenged and the “sinner” is shown love and compassion instead of judgment and condemnation.

 Wouldn’t you know it, on that very day I was preaching came a modern day example that was really intriguing.  It comes out of North Columbus, Ohio, where a church called New Beginnings Ministries exists in the same town as a strip club called the Fox Hole.  According to the local news, the pastor and many from his church have for the past four years been rallying outside the strip club to try to shut it down, preaching at patrons with bullhorns and even taking pictures of license plates in the parking lot and posting them on the church website (you can read about it here). 

On August 8th, however, the strip club turned the tables.  Read more »

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about such things. (Philippians 4:4-8)

Thank you, Lord, for saving my life.  Thank you for coming after me and revealing yourself to me when I was not even looking for you.  Thank you that in spite of my self-centeredness, you chose me, filled me with your Holy Spirit, gifted me, and have used me to bring you glory.  Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always, and so today I just want to spend time rejoicing in who you are.  I praise you for creating me, that I am your workmanship (Eph 2:10), not a cosmic accident but someone who has been crafted by you in order to do the good works which you prepared in advance for me to do.  Thank you that though you are holy and just, your mercies are new every morning (Lam 3:22-23), and you are always full of patience towards me (2 Pet 3:9).  Thank you for the hope I have in you, that you are able to work all things together for good for those who love you (Rom 8:28), that even when men intend evil, you work it out for good (Gen 50:20). 
Read more »