107 results for tag: gospel

A Season of Unfortunate Events? Superstition vs. the Gospel – Kenneth Tanner

Enduring a season of unfortunate events? Does God seem absent or aloof? Feel as though you have fallen out of favor with God? Many of us grew up with Christian pastors, teachers, friends, and spiritual guides who taught by osmosis that if things were going wrong in our lives or the lives of others—if life was not one moment of glory followed by another—there were two possible answers: either we were not doing all the right things or we were not believing all the right things. A lack of faith, a misstep here or there, results in hardships and divine disfavor. Most people call this superstition. What it is not is the gospel. It’s ironic ...

Words are only part of the gospel – Lazar Puhalo

Words are only a part of the gospel. The life and actions, and the way Christ treated the outcast and "sinner" is the greater part of the gospel. It seems that far too many people see a set of laws and rules in the gospel, and do not see the light and life in which often, social conventions and rules are simply overturned. Not only is the Parable of the Prodigal at the heart of the gospel, but something too often overlooked: Under the law, a leper is not only an outcast who cannot enter the temple precinct, but it is forbidden for anyone to even touch a leper. Christ, however, heals the leper precisely by touching him. Touching the leper ...

The Cost of Following Jesus

Christ followers are willing to "throw off everything that hinders" them and place him first and foremost in their lives.

Why Do Many Christians Make the Good News Sound So Weird?

Among some folks, the ability to speak fluent "Christianese" is a sign of true Christianity. But do these special words and phrases help or hinder the message? Here's some suggestions as to how we as Christ-followers might improve our communication skills. —Text and illustrations by Monte Wolverton I just want to come up alongside you. I have a burden—because God has laid it on my heart to minister to you and disciple you. God spoke to me, and he wanted me to share my testimony with you and to witness to you. The message I'm called to give you will be a real blessing to you. Chances are, you know some people who talk this way all the ...

No Carry-on Baggage Allowed

By Greg Albrecht—   Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are born by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity. "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." —Isaiah 46:1-4 If you have flown commercially lately, ...

Love – No Fear

by Greg Albrecht Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.—1 Corinthians 13:4-8 1 Corinthians 13 is a chapter many have come to know as the "love chapter" of the Bible. 1 Corinthians 13 is arranged in three separate sections, two of which we will briefly examine: The first section, in verses 1-3, is about love as being indispensable. If you've ever been to ...

Sitting With Others

As we remember the extraordinary legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. we think of how instrumental he was in bringing people of different races and cultures together. We consider Ezekiel's example of sitting among captives and exiles, and most of all the example of Jesus who became one of us, living among us, sitting with us.

It’s Either Old or New – It Can’t Be Both – Greg Albrecht

By way of introduction to It's Either Old or New—It Can't Be Both! I would like to introduce two special guests. Before going any further, I should explain that our special guests will appear as caricatures—in the form of a communication that they might have had with each other—so that there is, as far as I know, no actual resemblance to anything they've ever said to each other, if indeed they ever had a one-on-one conversation. I hope that clears me—that's my disclaimer. Our first guest is Martha Stewart. Martha Stewart has come, over the past few decades, to symbolize the paragon of a dutiful, skilled, energetic and creative ...

18 Prominent Biblical Passages – and Why

When asked to provide a list of his top ten biblical verses, Greg was stymied. Here's the list he wound up with - and why.

Can You See His Hands?

Join Greg as he considers the difference between an open hand, like that of Jesus on the cross, and a clinched fist.