Pushing back against evil
Pastor Jim Fikkert
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, […]
Bible study is about more than new insights
Derek Fekkes
I used to work in the marketing department for a Bible software and Christian e-book company. In our efforts to “market” our products to people, we would often say things like, “Discover new biblical insights!” or “Go deeper in your Bible study!” And we used phrases like this because these are the types of things […]
Two cliffs
Derek Fekkes
There are two common, yet equally-unbiblical views of how salvation works: legalism and cheap grace. Legalism says, “Everything is dependent on what I do. I must earn and keep up my salvation.” Cheap grace says, “It doesn’t matter what I do. I’m saved by grace so I can sin now and be forgiven later.” And […]
J.I. Packer on substitute gospels
Derek Fekkes
J.I Packer is a brilliant writer. Put him on the ever-important topic of clarifying the biblical gospel against its substitutes, and you get this: Without realizing it, we have during the past century bartered (the) gospel for a substitute product which, though it looks similar enough in points of detail, is as a whole a […]
Building theology
Pastor Jim Fikkert
In my last blog, I addressed a few of the common pushbacks against building from a Christian perspective. What I said can be true for most buildings, but we have a very unique one. I want to help you to understand the specific language of the building we worship in every week. The building that […]
The church building
Pastor Jim Fikkert
I recently read an article by Tim Challies where he connected architectural language to liturgy. He made the case that understanding the thought put into design helps you to appreciate space, and that a similar understanding of the language of our worship would deepen the experience. I agree entirely, and Derek has started a blog […]
So keep going
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. | Jude 24-25 This Sunday […]
The polar bear vs. Penn Jillette
Derek Fekkes
There was this great meme I saw recently that portrayed Christians who evangelize to a polar bear chasing a guy around his car. It’s funny because most of us have encountered Christians who want to “push their religion down your throat,” who don’t seem to really care about you as a person, just that you believe […]
Step into God’s world
Pastor Jim Fikkert
[5] Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. [12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. | Colossians 3:5, 12 The Bible contains this idea of putting off and putting on; giving […]
Why preaching? Three reasons…
Derek Fekkes
(This is the second in a series of posts explaining why we do what we do during our Sunday gatherings. See the opening post here.) Sunday services at Communion (and soon at Roots!) are intended to refocus and realign our lives to God’s story, his work to reconcile humanity to himself and be the center […]
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